Aer Lingus today suspended two pilots in ongoing dispute over the development of its new Belfast base.
The pilots' union Impact confirmed this evening that seven pilots had now been suspended for refusing to engage in the recruitment and training of new workers for its base and Belfast International Airport at Aldergrove.
The latest move by management to force pilots to break with the decision by 98 per cent of members of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association, which is an affiliate of Impact, increases the likelihood of disruption to services from next week.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion wrote to all 480 pilots telling them to state in writing by next Monday, their willingness to co-operate with developing the Belfast operation or face suspension.
The union said the decision amounts to a lock-out which is an "act of madness" which will affect customers and shareholders.
The union said today it remained willing to accept new terms and conditions at Belfast and was still willing to take the informal offer talks by the Labour Relations Commission.
"Pilots have accepted that pay and conditions at the Belfast base will be different. However, further negotiation is necessary in order to bring the matter to a conclusion. Until then, the result of the pilot's ballot remains valid," and Impact spokesman said.
The company insists that until the ban on co-operation is lifted, it will not attend talks.
Four pilots were suspended on Tuesday and a fifth was suspended yesterday. The pilots had signed up for training and recruitment duties additional to their piloting duties.
While these duties attracted extra pay, the pilots' union advised those members to resign from their training duties and continue piloting.
Mr Mannion's letter says those in receipt of the training allowance are expected to engage in screening, assessment, interviewing and training of job applicants candidates for the Belfast base.