Cityjet pilots reject pay offer and threaten action

Cityjet could be facing a dispute over pay and representation rights with Irish crews after they rejected an offer from the airline.

The news comes as it emerged that pilots working for the carrier at its London City Airport base are preparing for industrial action later this month.

Irish Cityjet cabin crew and pilots, represented by trade union Unite, recently rejected a pay offer from the airline .

Unite official Willie Quigley confirmed yesterday that the union is now discussing its next move with members.

He said Unite would take the issue to the Labour Court or the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Staff could ballot for industrial action if the issue is not resolved.

Response

Mr Quigley said the union asked Cityjet to go to the WRC, and it responded by saying that it could no longer recognise Unite’s right to negotiate for pilots.

He said the company could not unilaterally “de-recognise” the union, as the process takes three months and requires the agreement of both sides.

However, Cityjet said yesterday that it does recognise Unite’s right to negotiate for both cabin crew and pilots working for the company.

A spokesman said the issue of pay and conditions was “before the WRC and has been for some time”.

Meanwhile, pilots at the London City Airport base are preparing to begin a work- to-rule later this month if a pay dispute is not resolved.

Members of the Independent Pilots’ Association voted earlier this week to take industrial action in a row over pay and conditions.

The union's general secretary, Philip Flower, confirmed that pilots plan to begin a week-long work-to-rule on August 22nd, which he warned could cause major disruption.

If this does not bring about a resolution, Mr Flower said the pilots will step up their action and consider withdrawing labour.

In response, the airline says that is has made an offer to the pilots and is willing to go to arbitration if necessary under the auspices of the UK’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.