Unions and management at Aer Lingus are to meet tomorrow at the Labour Relations Commission to discuss a disagreement over the company's pension plan which could become an obstacle in any future privatisation plan.
The row refers to the description of the staff pension in this year's annual report as a 'targeted benefit' scheme.
Unions say they have always understood the pension to be a defined benefit scheme which guarantees a payout on retirement.
The company says the pension was never a defined benefit scheme and the changes made in this year's annual report are to comply with new accounting regulations. They deny they have changed the terms of the pension plan.
Unions have indicated the resolution of the pension issue will be necessary before any agreement on a future privatisation of the airline can be met.
