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Pilots at Emerald Airlines agree 10% pay increase

Emerald Airlines operates the Aer Lingus Regional routes
Emerald Airlines operates the Aer Lingus Regional routes

Pilots at Emerald Airlines have reached an agreement with management which would see pay increase by 10%.

Emerald holds the regional service franchise for Aer Lingus.

Fórsa, and the union's airline pilot branch IALPA, said the deal is part of a collective labour agreement (CLA), the first at the company since the union won recognition last year.

The agreement provides for a 3.5% increase on March 1 of this year, 3.5% on March 1, 2025 and a further 3% on March 1, 2026.

Fórsa said it has also secured commitment from management that negotiations on enhancing the agreement will happen if the company makes accumulated profits by 2026.

The proposals also include a seniority agreement, along with increases to sick pay and the introduction of a service-related pay scale.

The agreement is being put to a ballot of pilot members in Emerald Airlines, with voting closing on March 5.

Fórsa and IALPA are recommending acceptance of the deal.

Pilots at Emerald took industrial action last year in a row with management over union recognition.

"This agreement is a significant achievement by our members in Emerald, given that a year ago the company refused to even engage with unions," said IALPA president Mark Tighe.

"This CLA is a solid foundation on which pilots in Emerald can continue to improve their terms and conditions," he added.