The Labour Court recommended changes to Aer Lingus PLC's pay structure for new operative recruits, including an age-18 starting rate of £124.34. The recommendation was signed on 25 May 1988. The dispute involved about 1,050 operatives and the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union and Federated Workers Union of Ireland.
The unions said the new terms were too low and objected that Aer Lingus had recruited under them before reaching agreement. The company cited competitive pressures and plans to expand its workforce. The Court recommended removing the first two scale points, negotiating the removal of four more and reviewing the structure. It also said implementing the changes before agreement was contrary to good industrial relations.