Siptu members at Aer Lingus voted last night to ballot for industrial action over concerns about pensions and job security.
More than 500 workers attended the union meeting in Dublin airport.
Michael Halpenny, Siptu
Siptu national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said that as well as voting to ballot for industrial action, workers had decided to endorse the union's campaign against the privatisation of Aer Lingus and to continue talks with Transport Minister Martin Cullen and the airline.
"We will now inform the company of our decision, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. We will be making plans to begin balloting members next week," he said.
Siptu has warned that there is a shortfall of up to €250 million in the index-linked pension fund for the 3,600 existing Aer Lingus employees and the 8,000 retired employees.
The Government has already approved a plan for a part-flotation of Aer Lingus on the stock market, so that the airline can raise more capital. It is believed that the airline needs to raise at least €1 billion.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, however, Mr Halpenny said that any privatisation of the company would raise only €400 million, leaving the airline looking to the market for an additional €1.6 billion.
"So really the proposition that's being put forward is that private investors can have Aer Lingus, the profitable, publicly owned company that it is, for the bargain basement price of four wide-bodied jets," he said.
