The Labour Court recommended that Aer Lingus and the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union address pilots’ subsistence claims during current pay discussions, with a view to moving towards Revenue-approved rates. The recommendation was signed on 5 March 2001. The union sought Revenue-approved rates for North American trips and a change to how time away from base was calculated. Aer Lingus said the existing allowances covered overnight expenses and warned that the proposed changes would substantially increase costs. The Court said the claim had merit but would involve significant costs and a major change to how rates were calculated.