The Labour Court recommended a pay and conditions package for Aer Lingus cabin crew, including a £2,000 annual increase for current permanent staff and full-time contracts for existing part-time permanent and temporary staff. Its recommendation, dated 22 January 2001, followed a dispute with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union involving about 1,824 cabin crew.
The union sought pay increases and opposed part-time contracts and operational changes it said would harm workers' time off. Aer Lingus said it needed changes to address costs and remain competitive. The Court recommended a new pay scale from £13,000 to £22,500, with long-service increments, and promotion of 30 cabin crew to senior grade. It also recommended some of the airline's proposals on crewing, coupling and rosters, with conditions and protections. Pension negotiations were to continue separately.