Talks aimed at averting industrial action at Aer Lingus are continuing tonight at the Labour Relations Commission.
Negotiators have refused to comment on how the discussions are progressing.
Industrial action is due to begin at the airline next Monday in a dispute over a company plan to outsource jobs.
The company says it needs to cut staff costs by €50m by outsourcing up to 1,300 ground jobs held by SIPTU members. It is understood that the union has been presenting alternative means of securing the cost savings without eliminating direct employment of staff.
Over the weekend, top management at Aer Lingus considered SIPTU proposals aimed at cutting costs - but without outsourcing to a third party supplier.
The union fears that under the management's outsourcing plan, the current quality jobs at Aer Lingus would be replaced by lower paid staff on worse terms and conditions.
While sources on all sides are tight-lipped - given the tension surrounding the risk of industrial action from Monday - it is understood the draft proposals would involve an effective buyout of existing terms and conditions.
While some staff might take redundancy or early retirement, those that stay would at least continue to be directly employed by Aer Lingus - albeit on lower pay and conditions.
