Aer Lingus Talks 'To Avoid Northern Strike'

Industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots in Belfast is still ready for take-off, despite a settlement being reached over the parallel dispute in the Republic of Ireland.

The news came after talks aimed at averting widespread disruption took place on Sunday evening at the Labour Relations Commission in Dublin.

Industrial action had been due to begin in Dublin on Tuesday with a work-to-rule in Belfast scheduled for 10 June, but while negotiations are continuing, Aer Lingus said it intended to operate a full schedule from all its bases from Tuesday onwards irrespective of any continuing problems.

However, details of the settlement reached over the dispute in the Republic of Ireland have not yet been released, while talks on averting the actions in Belfast - and also at Gatwick - are due to resume shortly.

Talks had been continued through the night aimed at avoiding travel wholesale chaos this week despite earlier dialogue between Aer Lingus management and the pilots union Ialpa collapsing in the early hours of Saturday morning at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

The parties regrouped yesterday evening, hoping to agree terms in the row over rostering arrangements.

Ialpa, the pilots' branch of trade union Impact, said last summer pilots were regularly forced to work six out of seven days and last week they served notice of industrial action.

If the strike action had gone ahead, some 30,000 passengers would have faced disruption to their travel plans.

Salary Levels

The dispute in the Irish Republic had centred on rota arrangements, while the issues in Northern Ireland mainly related to pay as since the Belfast 'hub' was opened, salaries in Belfast are said to be "uncompetitive" and that pilots there were the lowest paid in all the Aer Lingus bases.

Customers can change flights for between tomorrow and Friday free of charge on: www.aerlingus.com

(BMcN/BMcC)