AER Lingus and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) are accusing each other of sabotaging pay talks. A dispute could seriously disrupt services this autumn.
The talks broke down after 10 minutes yesterday. IALPA representatives say they walked out because the company would not say if it accepted a pay tribunal report which had awarded pilots a 17 per cent pay rise over two years.
A company spokesman said: "Shortly after the meeting started at 4 p.m. the IALPA representatives abandoned the meeting, effectively refusing Aer Lingus representatives the opportunity of responding to the reports of the Pilots' Pay Review Tribunal".
As far as the pilots are concerned there is only one report the majority report issued by the chairman, Mr Roddy Horan BL and the IALPA representatives. The company representatives on the tribunal produced their own minority report.
The IALPA spokesman asked: "What consideration would the Aer Lingus board give a minority report prepared exclusively by IALPA members?
By refusing to restrict discussions to the majority report, IALPA claims, the company is effectively refusing to negotiate.
Any action could be timed to begin on the date set in the majority report for payment of the first 5 per cent increase, October 1st.