Irish budget carrier Ryanair’s pilots are pushing for closer salary alignment with their higher-paid Aer Lingus counterparts following Ryanair’s acquisition of a 16% stake in the flag-carrier.

Ryanair’s crews, represented by the Impact union, raised the pay claim with the airline last month, but it was rejected. Impact is therefore lodging the pay claim with Irish industrial relations body the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

The union says: “Impact now believes that Ryanair’s bid to take over Aer Lingus substantially strengthens the union’s claim for a closer alignment of pilots’ remuneration and working conditions in the two airlines.”

Impact expects Ryanair to reject LRC intervention. It will then be referred to the highest Irish industrial relations body, the Labour Court.

Source: FlightGlobal.com