Aer Lingus pilots work-to-rule causes chaos for passengers
- Aer Lingus pilots launched work-to-rule actions, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
- Tens of thousands of passengers had their travel plans disrupted by the industrial action.
- Talks between the pilots and the airline are set to resume to address the situation.
In London, Aer Lingus pilots have initiated industrial action, resulting in the cancellation of numerous flights and disrupting the travel plans of thousands. The pilots have implemented a 'work to rule' strategy, which involves refusing overtime work, changes in set rosters, and out-of-hours management requests. The Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association has announced a resumption of talks with Aer Lingus as the labor action persists, with an eight-hour strike scheduled for Saturday. The conflict between the flag carrier of Ireland and its pilots revolves around a pay dispute, with pilots demanding a 24% pay increase to match inflation since their last raise in 2019. Aer Lingus has expressed willingness to provide pay raises of 12.5% or more if discussions on "productivity and flexibility" are included. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris emphasized the urgency of reaching a resolution, urging the involved parties to prioritize engagement and compromise to avoid prolonged chaos and suffering for passengers. Harris stressed the importance of resolving the dispute through dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing the need for all parties to come together at the table to find a solution. The prime minister's call for swift action aims to prevent further disruptions and ensure a fair outcome for both the airline and its pilots. As talks are set to resume, the focus remains on finding a middle ground that addresses the concerns of the pilots while maintaining the operational efficiency of Aer Lingus.