The risk of travel disruption for Aer Lingus passengers before Christmas has increased after SIPTU formally served two weeks' notice of industrial action on the airline today.
Stoppages could occur as early as Monday 24 November.
Last Friday, SIPTU members at Aer Lingus voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action up to and including strike action in a row over management's plan to outsource up to 1300 jobs in ground operations at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
It also plans to use US cabin crew on certain translantic routes.
SIPTU says it will take industrial action against Aer Lingus if the company proceeds with its plan to outsource jobs without agreement.
The union has appealed to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to set up a process to reopen talks with the company in a bid to resolve the row.
Two weeks ago, management walked out of talks at the Labour Relations Commission, saying the union was failing to engage in meaningful negotiations on cost cuts.
Last Friday, Aer Lingus set a deadline of 15 December for staff to apply for voluntary severance or early retirement.
The high level industrial relations group, the National Implementation Body, is likely to discuss the dispute at a meeting today, though there is no sign of any formal intervention at this point.
