Pilots' union seeks meeting with CityJet on pay and pensions

A number of pilots at CityJet, a Dublin-based subsidiary of Air France, have met the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) and are expected to seek a meeting with the airline's management to discuss a number of grievances.

It is understood about 70 of CityJet's 170 pilots have met the IALPA recently. Two meetings were held yesterday at a sports complex near Dublin airport.

A number of the pilots are thought to be unhappy with pay levels, pension provisions and aspects of their rostering. As CityJet is a regional airline, feeding passengers into Air France's Paris hub from Dublin and the UK, its pay levels tend to lag those of larger carriers, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair.

IALPA wrote to CityJet's management before Christmas to seek a meeting but received no response. The airline does not recognise trade unions.

It is understood the pilots' union will write to the airline in early February to again seek a meeting with management.

The pilots are also thought to be considering making a complaint over their pay to the Labour Court, a move used against Ryanair, which also does not recognise unions. The Supreme Court is due to give its verdict on the right of the Labour Court to rule on this matter on Thursday. An adverse judgment could cost Ryanair €20 million.

A spokesman for CityJet, which carries 1.5 million passengers annually and has revenues of €254 million, said the airline has a "positive and effective internal communications process" and there was no need for a third-party negotiator.

"CityJet staff enjoy the best global staff travel facilities in association with Air France and pilots, uniquely for the airline industry, enjoy the support of loss of licence and income continuance benefits, which are arranged and funded by the company."

CityJet last year announced plans to spend $221 million on 23 AVRO RJ aircraft to replace its ageing fleet. It is also expected to announce the expansion of services from London.