A vote among non-pilot staff at Aer Lingus is planned for a 4% salary increase proposal

Aer Lingus has announced new proposals for a pay deal for its non-pilot staff, following a clause in an existing three-year agreement between the company and unions. The deal, worth at least €1,280 to the company's lowest paid workers, includes a 1.5% increase to pay from the start of next month, and a potential 4% increase over the course of next year.

The proposed deal comes after the triggering of a clause in last year's strike settlement by the airline's pilots, who are represented by the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (Ialpa). The clause allows other employees to return to the table in the event any one cohort obtains more favorable terms than those previously agreed across the company.

Under the proposed deal, staff will receive an increase of 3% or €960 (whichever is greater) on January 1st, 2026, and an additional 1% or €320 on July 1st. The deal expires at the end of 2026.

The changes proposed by the company relate to cabin crew and include provisions regarding transatlantic crewing levels and engagement with technology. However, there are no specific details in the search results about the exact changes proposed for the workflows of cabin crew or the timeframe for these changes.

Fórsa and Siptu, the unions at Aer Lingus, are balloting their members on the changes proposed by the company and will decide on arrangements for a ballot early next week. Siptu is scheduled to open a ballot next week and will conclude it on October 6th, with a result expected in the days following.

It is important to note that the roughly 5,000 non-pilot staff at the company have already received a voucher in lieu of the 1.5% increase Ialpa members received as part of their settlement last year. The proposed deal for next year is effectively intended to match the pay aspect of the pilots' deal.

The new proposals require staff to accept certain changes to work practices intended to boost productivity. It remains to be seen whether these changes will be accepted by the unions and their members. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.