Aer Lingus and its pilots began talks last night to resolve the dispute over staffing and millennium pay which threatens the company's Christmas schedules.
Impact's assistant general secretary, Mr Matt Staunton, wrote to the company yesterday giving it until "close of business" on Friday to attend an emergency meeting.
An Aer Lingus spokesman said last night there was no difficulty meeting the Irish Air Line Pilots Association branch of Impact to discuss the issues. "We were not aware of any dispute and the IALPA grievances had not been put through normal procedures."
Pilots are seeking the appointment of more captains and co-pilots to meet the expanding demand on Aer Lingus routes. They also object to company proposals to bring in US pilots to operate one of the company's aircraft next year.
According to the president of the IALPA, Mr Steve Scully, the company already has to use contract pilots to make up the shortfall. Company pilots are also being asked to sell up to half their annual leave to keep schedules operating.
Meanwhile, ESB engineers have agreed to defer today's threatened industrial action until Friday to allow discussions to continue with management on pay and career structures.
Afterwards MSF, the union representing more than 500 ESB engineers, said in a statement that two days of intensive negotiations would now take place as the company "has indicated a definite willingness to move from its original position". However, branch secretary, Mr Paul Cronin, warned that difficult issues had emerged that could make it difficult to reach a settlement.
Aer Rianta security staff will begin balloting on strike action this week in a row over a centralised control centre at Dublin airport. SIPTU says the move will undermine the position of airport police and fire-fighters.
Balloting will end on January 5th and, according to a SIPTU spokeswoman, there will be no any industrial action prior to that date.