Aer Lingus pilots accept new working time deal

Over 90% of Aer Lingus pilots have voted to accept a new deal with management over their working hours.

Pilots have been on strike from last week following a one-day strike on Thursday which has resulted in over 100,000 passengers being affected.

The pilots' protest began because they objected to work rosters which reduced their rest times between shifts. However, under the agreed deal, their rest periods can be reduced up to six times a year.

Aer Lingus management had already said they would agree to the proposals drawn up by Ireland's Labour Relations Commission. But it took a four and a half hour meeting in Dublin on Monday night, for the majority of pilots to vote in favour of the deal.

Although the pilots were prepared to resume work immediately, Aer Lingus have said normal flights would not resume until Wednesday June 5.

The dispute is thought to have cost the airline, which is owned by the Irish Government, about £1.3 million a day since the pilots began their industrial action last Thursday.

(MB)