Aer Lingus pilots strike to go ahead with no solution at Labour Court [Video]

Industrial action at Aer Lingus will go ahead today after 11th-hour talks in the Labour Court failed to bring about any compromise, writes Gareth MacNamee.

Both the airline and its pilots, represented by the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA), had individual meetings with Labour Court representatives yesterday.

However, in a statement yesterday evening, Aer Lingus said: “Aer Lingus is disappointed that following the Labour Court’s separate meetings with Aer Lingus and the union Fórsa/IALPA today, its assessment is that it is unable to assist in the dispute at this time.”

The cancellation of a further 50 flights, on Monday and Tuesday next (1-2 July) was announced yesterday. This is in addition to the 200-plus cancellations already announced by the airline, affecting some 35,000 passengers.

The airline said: “Aer Lingus has made it clear that it remains available for discussions both directly and through the State’s industrial relations framework.

“Aer Lingus will continue to focus …