Thousands of Aer Lingus passengers face disruption from early next week as the escalating dispute over the establishment of a new base in Belfast threatens to ground the airline, writes Martin Wall, Industry Correspondent.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion yesterday instructed all of the airline's 480 pilots to confirm by next Monday that they would carry out duties to facilitate the opening of the new Belfast operation, or face being removed from the payroll.
The president of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (Ialpa), Evan Cullan, last night said the scenario set out by management represented "a lock-out". Impact, the union that represents the pilots, said mass suspensions would effectively shut the airline down. Aer Lingus did not comment on possible disruption to passengers if significant numbers of pilots are suspended on Tuesday.
Impact said the suspensions would not advance the situation. "The company's proposed action is an act of madness. It will disrupt passengers, damage the airline's reputation and impact on shareholder value," it said.
The letter sent by Mr Mannion yesterday represented an escalation in the row over the establishment of the Belfast operation in which five senior pilots have been suspended for refusing to co-operate with recruitment.
Ialpa is to hold consultations with members about the letter today. It is understood it is not planning strike action. Mr Cullan said the ban on co-operation with the establishment of the Belfast base would remain.
The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) yesterday contacted the parties and indicated it was available for talks, but none are scheduled. Aer Lingus said on Tuesday it would not talk with the union until the ban on co-operation was lifted.
It is understood it will reserve its position on entering a new LRC process until an invitation is issued. Ialpa said it was available for talks.
Mr Mannion yesterday asked pilots to confirm they would operate flights with new recruits for Belfast to familiarise them with Aer Lingus procedures or to attend related seminars. He also asked pilots with duties as trainers and instructors to confirm they would take part in screening,interviewing and training candidates.
"It is important that you understand that if you fail to confirm your willingness to unreservedly engage in your full range of duties by 1pm on Monday, October 15th, 2007, you will be suspended from the payroll from 3am on Tuesday, October 16th, 2007," he said. Aer Lingus plans to begin flying from Belfast on December 10th and needs co-operation from pilots to recruit captains and first officers.
Ialpa is seeking a role in negotiating the terms and conditions to apply for pilots in Belfast. It said yesterday it would accept a lower cost base in Belfast. However, the union and management disagree on the pension scheme and on whether pilots should be allowed to transfer between the company's bases.