RTÉ News has learned that Aer Lingus has threatened to suspend pilots from tomorrow if they fail to co-operate with the recruitment assessment and training of staff for their new base in Belfast.
In a letter to pilots, management points out that assisting with the recruitment assessment and training of new pilots is an integral part of the duties of a significant number of pilots.
It says that from tomorrow morning at 10am they will expect full co-operation with the recruitment process.
Any pilot who is instructed to carry out these duties and fails to do so will be suspended with immediate affect.
Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Dermot Mannion, has said he expects Aer Lingus flights to operate on schedule tomorrow.
Mr Mannion told RTÉ News he hoped the company's pilots would 'see sense' and co-operate with the recruitment and assessment process in Belfast.
The pilots have been in dispute with Aer Lingus over its plans for the new Belfast base which is due to begin operation on 10 December.
It is believed that the pilots' union IALPA had previously instructed members not to co-operate with the recruitment and assessment process for Belfast.
Union representatives and Aer Lingus management are meeting today to discuss the company's pay freeze.
SIPTU said that the company's cost-cutting plan equates to industrial blackmail of its workers.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, union representatives said they would again demand the company comply with the National Agreement T16.
They will be asking the company to reverse its decision to withhold a pay increase due under the agreement on 1 October and future plans to withhold the next phase of the pay plan due in April.
The unions have not ruled out industrial action.
