Breakthrough in Aer Lingus pilots' dispute

There has been a breakthrough in the Aer Lingus pilots' dispute, with the company offering its pilots the same redundancy terms as other employees.

The pilots' union, IMPACT, was studying the proposals last night and senior negotiators are to meet the company today to clarify a number of issues, but the prospects for averting a strike have improved significantly.

Aer Lingus chief executive Mr Willie Walsh unexpectedly invited IMPACT's general secretary Mr Peter McLoone and deputy general secretary Mr Shay Cody to talks yesterday afternoon, less than 24 hours before the result of the pilots' strike ballot is due. He offered pilots the same terms as the other 1,800 opting to leave.

So far, the company offer to pilots has been very different, with the package weighted towards younger co-pilots. In other sectors such as cabin crew, ground handling and clerical, the package has been most attractive for senior, long service staff.

The company is now lifting the €63,500 (£50,000) ceiling on redundancy lump sums for senior captains who wish to go, and allowing them full credit for past service. This would entitle some senior captains to over €200,000. However, Aer Lingus is also withdrawing the offer of early retirement and a pension at 48. A pension would only be paid from 55, the same age as other employees.

SIPTU assistant general secretary Mr Michael Landers gave a cautious welcome to the company's offer last night. "We need to meet with them to clarify the situation, as they have made offers in the past which proved worthless," he said. "However, the package appears to offer exactly what we sought two months ago. It is a pity the company didn't do it before issuing ten compulsory redundancies."

The results of today's ballot of pilots is expected to result in an overwhelming majority for strike action, as most IMPACT members would have voted before the latest offer was made. The company is now hoping the new package will produce at least the 80 redundancies being sought. If the package is over-subscribed it would remove the difficult issue of compulsory redundancies.

Meanwhile, Mr Walsh has written to IMPACT members protesting at the union's decision to organise a boycott of an information meeting he addressed last week which was attended by two pilots.

IALPA/IMPACT organised a boycott of the meeting, which included a protest group outside the venue. A member of the protest group told The Irish Times they were there to ensure pilots did not hear "more lies from management".