Aer Lingus has paid up to €2 million for new iPhones for its cabin crew. The move comes as the airline increased punitive measures against pilots who are taking industrial action.
Last week the company emailed 2,000 full-time and part-time cabin crew members asking them to book a slot to collect an iPhone 15 from the company’s training academy, Iolar House, at Dublin airport.
Aer Lingus said the iPhones, which cost €979 each, are part of its move to improve digitalisation. The airline confirmed on Friday that it was introducing the devices as part of its “Connected Crew” investment programme.
“It will allow for improved and easier reporting and sharing of feedback for the benefit of both employees and customers,” it said, adding that the move followed extensive staff engagement.
The Forsa trade union said it had been decided in talks last year that staff would move from paper reports on flights to virtual and digital write-ups.
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One cabin crew member, however, questioned the timing of the phones’ distribution. Another pointed out that American airlines had given senior staff iPads rather than iPhones.
Sources say the airline might be worried about strike contagion. Last year it struck a 13 per cent pay deal with cabin crew in Dublin and Manchester, which will be in place until January. Forsa said part of that agreement was a clause that if any other staff, including pilots, received a rise above 12.25 per cent, not linked to increased productivity, then cabin crew could pursue another claim.
Aer Lingus pilots, meanwhile, have complained about harsh sanctions from the airline in what they see as a direct attack on their work to rule.
The company has issued “failure to join” (FTJ) penalties against air crew who are taking part in the action. Since June 26 pilots have declined to work overtime or accept changes to assigned rosters.
FTJ penalties are used to reprimand pilots who do not appear for work. Three FTJs issued against one pilot can result in disciplinary action, which can range from a pay deduction to dismissal.
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During the pandemic pilots had their salaries cut by half for a while. They say that their demand for a 24 per cent increase covers inflation since their last pay rise five years ago.
Captain Mark Tighe, president of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), has previously said he is open to a lower pay offer but that any deal would have to be approved by the union’s membership.
The dispute has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, disrupting tens of thousands of passengers.
Aer Lingus has said it is willing to offer pay increases above 12.25 per cent only if “improvements in productivity and flexibility are discussed”.
• Brenda Power: Why Aer Lingus pilots deserve a pay rise
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Ialpa and Aer Lingus are awaiting a Labour Court recommendation that is being drafted in an effort to resolve the row. Ialpa has said it will not escalate its pay campaign pending the recommendation but further industrial action is likely if the court fails to bring the two parties to an agreement.
One letter sent to an Ialpa member from an Aer Lingus crew- control duty supervisor and seen by The Sunday Times said that an FTJ was used to “denote a duty for which you will not be paid”.
“As you are aware, your roster (and assigned duty) was changed in line with your normal working conditions and our collective agreements,” it read.
“By refusing to accept this change to your roster and by not operating the duty assigned to you as part of this roster change, you are participating in industrial action and accordingly the FTJ has been assigned to your roster.”
In response the pilot said they had been available for duty as per their roster on June 26, the day that the union began its work to rule. About 525 Ialpa members took part in an eight-hour strike on June 29 and marched in full uniform at Dublin airport. “I dispute the ‘FTJ, no show’ on my roster. This is factually incorrect,” they said.
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Ialpa, which is part of Forsa, has criticised Aer Lingus for issuing the penalties and said an alarming number of unwarranted FTJs had been sent to pilots. “It appears to be a sinister move to deduct wages from pilots who are reporting to work for their planned flights. Ialpa will be monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to protect its members,” it said.
Last year International Airlines Group, Aer Lingus’s parent company which also operates British Airways, Vueling and Iberia, recorded profits of £2.3 billion (€2.7 billion). Lynne Embleton, the Aer Lingus chief executive, received almost €300,000 worth of shares on June 26 as part of a bonus scheme.
She found herself at the centre of a spat with Eamon Ryan, the transport minister, during the pandemic over the “lack of understanding” within his department about the crisis faced by the aviation sector.
After much lobbying the Irish government set aside €350 million for Aer Lingus under the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, of which the company has pulled down only €50 million.
Aer Lingus said it would not respond to a request for comment on the FTJs. The airline has cancelled an additional 80 flights.
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“Customers impacted by these latest cancellations between July 11 and July 14 will be given the option to change their flights for free. They will also be able to claim a refund or voucher,” the company said. “Aer Lingus fully understands the anxiety being experienced by customers given the uncertainty caused by Ialpa’s industrial action.”
