Management and unions at Aer Lingus have been invited to attend talks at the Labour Court tomorrow in a bid to end the row over the introduction of new work practices.
Siptu's national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny
The company is seeking to implement the new terms from Thursday despite a warning from Siptu that it will respond with industrial action if conditions of employment are changed unilaterally.
Siptu's national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny this evening confirmed the union will attend the talks.
"We have always been ready to attend negotiations on resolving our problems with Aer Lingus," he said.
Siptu officials at Aer Lingus were to meet late this afternoon to consider its response to the airline's demand that staff assist in training new employees recruited on reduced terms and conditions.
The airline has said it cannot guarantee that it will be able to operate all of its flights from Wednesday, when strike notice from Siptu takes effect in a dispute over the new work contracts.
The trade union formed an 11-member disputes committee comprising shop stewards at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, and union officials.
It is understood the shop stewards will formalise their strike plans at tonight's meeting.
Siptu national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny declined to say what form of action the union would take if the airline's position on new work contracts did not change.
"If the company proceed as they have done, then we have said publicly that we will react," he said. "We've always said that as far as industrial action is concerned it is a reaction to the actions of the company."
Siptu's 1,800 members at Aer Lingus are preparing to withdraw their labour from March 1st if the airline does not back down on plans to introduce new contracts for existing staff.
Asked whether he had anything to say to passengers facing disruption due to the threatened action, Mr Halpenny said: "It's up to the company to say because they're the people pulling the trigger."
Aer Lingus, which says the current work practices of its staff are uncompetitive, told passengers that it will change their flights free of charge if they wish to avoid the threat of action this week. Passengers who wish to change their tickets were advised to phone 0818-365000 or use the airline's website, aerlingus.com.
The airline said last night that there was no change to its position.