SIPTU sources say they are not optimistic that the row at Aer Lingus over cost cutting proposals can be resolved.
Speaking after a meeting of shop stewards at the airline this afternoon, one union source said the industrial relations situation in Aer Lingus remains 'grim.'
Earlier this week, SIPTU's 1800 members at Aer Lingus rejected a cost cutting programme negotiated by their officials with management five weeks ago.
Today's meeting was held to discuss the union's next move.
Talks have been continuing at local level between union representatives and management in a bid to resolve roster issues
After the meeting SIPTU appealed to Aer Lingus to continue those negotiations.
Sources say that it was clear at today's meeting that rosters were not the only reason for the workers' rejection of the productivity package by a margin of three to one.
It is understood that many believe the level of cost cutting demanded by management is excessive in light of the company's profits of over €80m last year.
SIPTU's National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack, who was on the negotiating team for the overall cost cutting package five weeks ago, said the the actual rosters proposed by the airline represented a serious deterioration in working conditions and would impact severely on family life when workers were already doing a good job.
SIPTU already has a mandate for strike action in the event that management moves to implement any costcutting changes without union agreement.
Aer LIngus is not expected to make any move until after Tuesday, when pilots will reveal whether they have accepted the cost cutting proposals for their grade.
The SIPTU shop stewards will meet again at 6pm on Tuesday to see whether the local negotiations on rosters have yielded sufficient progress to warrant re-balloting members.
Cabin crew have already reached agreement with management on their productivity arrangements.
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus is also saving money by withholding national wage increases of almost 7.5% from staff who fail to agree new working conditions.
