Aer Lingus pilots likely to endorse deal on Belfast base
Aer Lingus pilots look set to endorse the deal reached earlier this week to end the dispute over the airline's planned new Belfast base.
The pilots' union IALPA says the agreement was endorsed by a show of hands at a mass meeting in the early hours of this morning.
However, its official ratification is dependent on a ballot of all 480 Aer Lingus pilots, which is expected to be completed by Thursday.
Last night's meeting was delayed for several hours while IALPA sought clarification of issues relating to the recruitment of pilots at future foreign bases.
Under the deal, both sides have agreed that Aer Lingus can establish these bases on local pay and conditions, while the airline has agreed to recognise IALPA as the pilots' union in Belfast.
The agreement, which was finalised yesterday morning after 20 hours of negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission, also covers pension arrangements for staff transferring between Dublin and Belfast.
