Aer Lingus CEO Dermot Mannion has said the airline's management is still 'absolutely determined' to achieve its planned cost savings.
This comes after Friday's second rejection of its cost-cutting programme by SIPTU members. SIPTU has a mandate for strike action if management goes ahead with the plans without union agreement.
Speaking on RTE radio Mr Mannion described the latest SIPTU rejection as a 'disappointment' and a 'setback', but added that there would be 'no deviation' from the proposals.
Mr Mannion would not comment when asked if the airline would delay implementing any measures until after the busy summer season, but he said the airline would minimise disruption to passengers. He said Aer Lingus had faced the threat of industrial action before, but had lost just one hour in the three years of his tenure.
He was speaking as Aer Lingus celebrates 50 years of transatlantic flying. The first US flight left Dublin for New York on this day in 1958.
