Sir, - I refer to your report of the meeting between IALPA and Aer Lingus on August 28th, and to the statement that the IALPA representatives "walked out of the meeting". It has come as a matter of considerable regret to IALPA that Aer Lingus representatives, at the meeting, absolutely refused to state whether or not they accepted the recommendation contained in the tribunal report, as is required by our agreed procedure.
In those circumstances, IALPA again in accordance with the procedure - had no option but to request immediately a meeting with Aer Lingus at the most senior level. The necessity to move to a senior level effectively ended the meeting with the company representatives. Our request to meet the Chief Executive was immediately confirmed by letter.
We entered into an agreement with Aer Lingus on a disputes procedure in 1989, and shortly afterwards began the pay review within the terms of that procedure. Over the intervening period, IALPA has made many sacrifices to aid the company in its recovery. We agreed to suspend the pay review process, for over a year; working conditions concessions were granted, salary was deferred, and increases due under the PESP were not paid.
IALPA feels that we have more than demonstrated our commitment to, the company, over that long period of time. It is a matter of very great regret to us that at the end of the agreed process, the company cannot see its way to dealing with the report of the tribunal in a direct and unambiguous manner.
We still wish to use the existing machinery to resolve this issue, and we are very hopeful that Aer Lingus will see its way to accepting the report of a tribunal that was established in agreement with it so as "to provide effective machinery for the resolution of all issues that may arise". IALPA wishes to follow the agreed procedure, and we are available, to meet with the Chief Executive, Mr McGann, to discuss, with him the Aer Lingus rejection of the pay tribunal's recommendation.
Finally, the Aer Lingus statement that the IALPA representatives who attended the meeting had been released from work duties is not true. Yours, etc.,
Chairman,
Aer Lingus local, Group
IALPA,
Corballis Park,
Dublin Airport.