There is growing optimism that next week's threatened strike at Aer Lingus may be averted.
After eight hours of talks at Government Buildings both management and unions said progress had been made.
The National Implementation Body, which was overseeing today's negotiations, has proposed a two week period for management and individual unions to itemise all their grievances and concerns.
The NIB has also recommended that 'a suitably qualified person' carry out a forensic analysis on the financial implications for staff at the company's proposed cost cuts.
The parties will reconvene at Government Buildings on 28 November and the NIB will try to issue settlement proposals by 3 December.
In the meantime, no industrial action should take place and no further revised contracts on lower terms and conditions would be issued.
The proposals will be considered at a SIPTU shop stewards meeting tomorrow morning but leaving today's talks National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said progress had been made.
If the shop stewards agree to defer industrial action there is a two week window in which to try and sort out this row and give passengers some certainty about flights.
Earlier, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that both sides in the Aer Lingus dispute should 'catch hold of themselves' and look at what the current situation is doing to the business.
He said that the dispute was pulling consumers away from the company.
Cost-cutting plan.
Aer Lingus management has promised shareholders it will finalise a €20m cost-cutting plan by the end of December.
It argues that it is vital for the future sustainability of the airline.
The cost cutting plan includes work practice and contract changes which SIPTU says could cut its members wages by up to €5000 per year.
It says compensation being offered by Aer Lingus would not offset the long-term losses.
The union has threatened rolling stoppages next week.
