SIPTU has urged Aer Lingus management to enter a process to try to resolve the row over cost-cutting, which could trigger industrial action at the airline before Christmas.
After a three-hour meeting of shop stewards this afternoon, National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack said they would be asking the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to intervene to try to set up a dispute resolution process at government level.
However, he said that the union could not resolve the dispute alone without the participation of Aer Lingus.
He accused the airline of only wanting to get rid of staff in its bid to secure cost savings of €74m.
Aer Lingus withdrew from talks with SIPTU on Wednesday and says it is proceeding with plans to outsource ground operations, with the loss of up to 1,300 jobs held by SIPTU members.
Plans to use US cabin crew on transatlantic flights and to close cabin crew bases in Shannon and Heathrow have put a further 200 jobs at risk.
SIPTU, which represents 1,700 workers at the airline, has warned that if management proceeds unilaterally with outsourcing, the union will take industrial action.
The result of a ballot for industrial action is expected next Friday.
Management is expected to select its preferred outsourcing supplier by the end of next week and will then proceed to draw up contracts.
The company wants final agreement on its cost-cutting plan by 1 December, with full implementation of the plan on 1 March.
IMPACT, the union representing cabin crew and pilots, is still engaged in talks with management, which have been described as ‘constructive’.
