Aer Lingus union representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, on the future of the national airline. The call follows continuing media speculation that Aer Lingus wants a strategic alliance with British Airways and intends selling off its aircraft maintenance subsidiary, TEAM.

The secretary of SIPTU's civil aviation branch, Mr Paul O'Sullivan, said yesterday his members were extremely angry at the lack of consultation by Aer Lingus on its future plans. The union represents the vast majority of the 4,000 Aer Lingus employees.

"We have a whole raft of consultative processes, ranging from worker directors and sub-board participatory procedures under the Workers Participation Act, to European Works Councils and arrangements for consultation under Partnership 2000," he said.

However, little information had been forthcoming to the unions or employees.

"Last Thursday the European Works Council met with Mr Gary McGann (chief executive of Aer Lingus) and last Friday we met senior industrial relations personnel under the chairmanship of Mr Phil Flynn, and we were told nothing about these major strategic initiatives."

Mr O'Sullivan said his members "would have very serious reservations about a company like British Airways, because of its industrial relations track record, its attitude to staff and to trade unions". The union was now "asking the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to arrange a meeting with the Minister because she has promised full consultation and discussion with the unions".