An executive sub-committee of the Dublin Airport Authority board met today to consider proposals to contribute around €55m to restructure the company's pension scheme and copper-fasten benefits for members.
It emerged this morning that under the DAA proposals, some staff would receive pensions worth up to 78% of their final salary.
The usual pension arrangements in the public service would see staff receive no more than two thirds of final salary.
It is understood that the proposals negotiated by DAA management have not been formally submitted to the board, which is due to meet on Friday.
The Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme covers around 15,000 members in Aer Lingus, the Dublin Airport Authority and the now defunct aircraft maintenance firm SR Technics.
However, its €750m deficit is so huge that if the scheme were wound up now, staff who have not yet retired could receive as little as 4% of their expected pension benefits.
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus sources are adamant that the airline will not fund restructured benefits in excess of 66% of final salary.
They will seek cost-offsetting measures worth €45m in return for any contributions to establish a sustainable new pension fund.
SIPTU has criticised the Aer Lingus position, but has praised what it called the constructive approach of the DAA.
Talks chaired by Labour Relations Commission Chief Executive Kieran Mulvey adjourned last week to allow local consultation with unions.
Two weeks ago, SIPTU deferred planned industrial action to allow those negotiations to continue.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has urged management and unions at Aer Lingus and the DAA to continue using the State's labour relations mechanisms to resolve the row.
In a statement, he said resolution of the funding difficulties in the pension scheme is a matter for the trustees, the companies participating in the scheme and the members.
Mr Varadkar said the Government would encourage all sides to strive to reach agreement, adding that talks are expected to resume at the LRC over the next week or so.
