A potential obstacle to the privatisation of Aer Lingus has been removed this evening after agreement was reached with a small group of Siptu members who had opposed the airline's business plan.
Agreement was reached after a series of talks in Shannon Airport today between Siptu and Aer Lingus human resources officials. The issue arose after 14 cargo and clerical workers at Shannon opposed proposed work practice changes and a remuneration package.
The company's business plan must be approved before Aer Lingus can proceed with the privatisation. Siptu officials had recommended that members accept the business plan.
Under Siptu's rules, if one section of workers rejects a motion then the union rejects the change.
Meanwhile, members of the Impact union at Aer Lingus have voted by a majority to back Labour Court proposals on changes in work practices at the airline.
Some 90 per cent of cabin crew and management grades backed the changes, which provide for pay increases of 4 per cent, service-related lump sums, improvements in long-service increments and increased benefits in the event of death in service.
In a separate vote Aer Lingus pilots endorsed similar proposals by an 82 per cent majority, Impact said in a statement.
All unions are participating in an Ictu aggregate ballot to assign 0.5 per cent of the pay increase towards the cost of the Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) purchasing shares in the initial public offering (IPO) next month.