AER LINGUS will today set out whether it considers the new deal it has reached with trade union Siptu to be viable. It will base its assessment of the viability on the number of staff who take up options for reducing its payroll costs.
Staff can leave the company permanently under voluntary redundancy and early retirement programmes or opt for a controversial leave-and-return scheme. This would allow employees to take a severance package and return on inferior terms and conditions.
Some employees will be allowed to remain on existing terms and conditions but will have to operate new work practices.
The Revenue Commissioners have declined to comment on whether it would consider the leave- and-return scheme to be a genuine redundancy, allowing employees to qualify for favourable tax treatment on the package they receive.
Aer Lingus and Siptu believe the scheme will be considered as representing genuine redundancies.