The threat of industrial action at Aer Lingus from tomorrow morning has been lifted after management and SIPTU reached agreement on a package of costcutting reforms and work practices.
The airline has confirmed that it will operate a full schedule of services tomorrow.
Aer Lingus had threatened to suspend staff if they failed to cooperate with new work practices being introduced from tomorrow morning without union agreement.
However, after marathon non-stop talks lasting almost 36 hours, agreement was reached on a package of measures, which is hoped will secure the cost savings required by the company.
The talks were mediated by the Director of Conciliation at the Labour Relations Commission Kevin Foley.
Aer Lingus Chief executive Dermot Mannion said the airline and the union were in a good space tonight. He apologised to passengers for the uncertainty of recent days, and said the talks were never going to be easy.
SIPTU said that it will spend the next week consulting with members to explain the deal to them.
It will then be put to a ballot of members, but National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack said shop stewards had yet to meet to decide whether to recommend the deal.
It is expected the consultation process and the ballot will take about two weeks.
Aer Lingus will defer implementation of the new work practices until that union process is complete.
It is understood that of the €10m package of cost savings, €7.5m will be generated in Dublin, with around €2.5m being shaved off the Shannon operation.
The main benefit to the company is that the package will cut overtime, and reduce the need for additional staff recruitment.
The deal agreed tonight will apply to existing staff, and will secure take-home pay for workers.
However, the two sides have not yet discussed management's intention to hire future staff on lower pay and conditions - which is likely to be another very difficult issue.
