IMPACT pilots at Aer Lingus have called a one-day strike for Monday February 11th after the company refused their demand to withdraw ten compulsory redundancy notices.
The union, which represents 530 of the company’s pilots, had challenged Aer Lingus to withdraw the redundancies after its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
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The result of the pilots’ strike ballot were announced this morning with 97 per cent, or 475 pilots, in favour of the motion and 14 members voting against. There was a 92 per cent turnout, IMPACT said.
But Aer Lingus has said the reasons for the ballot were not valid and called on the union to withdraw its decision to strike. It denied the union’s claim that pilots were being treated unfairly in the redundancy package.
The company said: "They have the precise same terms. There are no conditions that do not apply to every other member of staff".
The redundancy notices have already been served on junior pilots and around 80 posts still need to be shed under the company's Survival Plan.
IMPACT said management had forced them into taking today's action as it had refused to explore alternatives to compulsory redundancy.
In a statement this afternoon, the union called on management "to take a new constructive approach to avoid a strike, avoid compulsory redundancies, and plan properly for the future".
Aer Lingus last night offered to meet the pilots' demands over redundancy packages.
Management said this offer gave them the same terms as offered to all working groups in the company and that the reason for the ballot no longer existed.
In a statement following notice of strike action, Aer Lingus accused the pilots of refusing to sign up to the company’s "essential" survival plan.
But IMPACT reacted earlier to the last night's offer by describing it as a "publicity stunt".