05/09/2007

Aer Lingus Talks Adjourned

Talks between Aer Lingus and pilots representatives, aimed at resolving a dispute over pay and conditions for Belfast-based staff, have been adjourned until Friday.

The talks were the first time that the airline and the union have met face-to-face in the ongoing dispute. Last week's meetings at the Labour Relations Commission saw the two parties in separate rooms.

Two weeks ago Aer Lingus pilots threatened to strike over plans to recruit staff for the airline's new Belfast-based hub on lower terms and conditions than their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland.

Aer Lingus said that more than 1,100 people have applied for 100 jobs with the airline in Belfast and said that it needs to recruit staff now for the launch of the new hub in December.

The airline has revealed that it will not publish the terms and conditions for pilots and cabin crew at the Belfast hub.

Neither sides commented when today's meeting finished at 1pm.

(KMcA)

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21 August 2007
Talks Begin In Aer Lingus Dispute
Talks between Aer Lingus and pilots' union, the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (Ialpa) have resumed at the Labour Relations Commission. The talks begin last night after a planned 48-hour strike over the pay and conditions to be offered to new pilots at the airline's new Belfast base was called off. The strike had been due to begin today.