Aer Lingus pilots have voted in favour of a cost-saving deal that will also see them share up to €7 million in compensation.
The pilots voted by 249 votes to 48 in favour of the cost-saving plan the airline wants to introduce. The deal will see pilots receive about €14,000 each in return for changes on overtime and allowances among other areas.
The deal forms part of the airline's overall plan to generate savings of about €20 million.
Under their deal with the airline, pilots will have to fly for an additional 50 hours per year before the threshold for overtime payments is reached. There will also be cuts in pay for pilots for working outside their agreed contract, and a telephone allowance is to be abolished.
In return for the work changes, Aer Lingus will provide compensation of €7 million for pilots and meet all increases due under the national agreement. The deal, which had been recommended by pilots' union Ialpa, allows for a new pay review for pilots to begin in 2011.
Siptu shop stewards at Aer Lingus are meeting today to review progress on recent local talks between management and their members aimed at resolving a dispute over work-practice changes.
Union sources said last night although some progress had been made it was not enough to warrant a re-balloting on the proposals.