Labour Court recommends talks on Aer Lingus pay and conditions dispute

The Labour Court recommended immediate negotiations between Aer Lingus and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union, and the Aer Lingus Craft Group of Unions over changes linked to a 4% pay increase. The recommendation was dated 11 April 2003. The dispute also covered the 2002 increment, overtime premiums, annual leave and a 1% lump sum. The Court found the 2002 increment would not be paid, recommended that double-time overtime be restored, and said the company should clarify the pension impact for employees. The parties had agreed that the lump-sum issue was dealt with under the ESOP agreement; the company was prepared to review the leave reduction after 2003.