The mood at Aer Lingus is buzzing with the anticipation of a new round of pay talks for ground and cabin crew, set to kick off early next year. After seeing their colleagues in the cockpit secure a whopping 17.75 per cent pay increase following a tense summer of industrial action, it’s no surprise that other employees are keen to revisit their own agreements. While they previously accepted a 12.25 per cent rise, a clause in their deal means they can now seek more, and they’re asking for an additional 4 per cent boost to match what the pilots landed.
Union representatives, armed with this clause, are preparing to sit down with Aer Lingus management to iron out the next steps. Terry Gill, representing around 1,300 workers, confirmed that they’ve already locked in a modest 1.5 per cent bump from October next year, but this still leaves a noticeable gap between the crew and their pilot counterparts. The company’s €750 voucher, given to ground and cabin crew, sweetened the deal momentarily, but workers are now looking for something more substantial and permanent.
Behind the scenes, the wheels are turning as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) prepares to weigh in. The pilots’ deal came after a dramatic few months that saw strikes, flight cancellations, and frustrated passengers. That Labour Court recommendation swung the momentum in favor of pilots, and other Aer Lingus staff are now watching closely to see if a similar approach could work in their favor. The atmosphere is charged as ground and cabin crew gear up for what could be a crucial negotiation period in early 2024.
For now, Aer Lingus remains tight-lipped, holding its cards close. But with unions ready to push for parity, and the success of the pilots’ push still fresh in everyone’s minds, the airline might soon find itself facing more turbulence from within.
(Source: The Irish Times)
