Aer Lingus ballot for industrial action

Unions at Aer Lingus are to decide this weekend whether to proceed with industrial action in protest at plans by the airline'…

Unions at Aer Lingus are to decide this weekend whether to proceed with industrial action in protest at plans by the airline's management to introduce cost-saving measures.

Talks between unions and management to avert a possible strike broke down at the Labour Relations Commission last night.SIPTU and IMPACT are opposing changes to working practices scheduled to come into effect at the start of next month for new employees, claiming that the company is breaching an earlier agreement by implementing them without consultation.Following the breakdown of yesterday's talks, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said the airline would proceed with plans to alter terms and conditions for staff hired after this coming Thursday.If the unions agree to industrial action, a strike could take place as early as the second week of February.