HOPES of averting serious industrial action by Aer Lingus cabin crews from midnight tomorrow have risen, following an invitation to talks at the Labour Relations Commission.
The intervention of the LRC is thought to reflect growing concern at the potential political and commercial fall out from the dispute, which is over hotel accommodation in New York.
Although the company has distanced itself from remarks made by a SIPTU member two weeks ago over the hotel's proximity to Harlem, and the union has apologised for them, there are fears that the dispute could affect Ireland's image in the US if it is not rapidly resolved.
The chief executive of the LRC, Mr Kieran Mulvey, and its director of conciliation services, Mr Ray McGee, are to meet SIPTU representatives tomorrow morning and Aer Lingus management in the afternoon. The invitation was issued by Mr Mulvey yesterday.
There are 800 cabin crew involved in the dispute, which is over the standard of accommodation provided at the Lucerne hotel in upper west side Manhattan. SIPTU argues that the Lucerne, where some crew members were relocated last month, does not have the range of services normally available to transatlantic crews.
An aviation branch official, Mr Des Hughes, said he hoped "as a result of Mr Mulvey's invitation, a resolution to this dispute can be found".
He would not comment on how the union would react if the LRC requested a deferral of industrial action while the situation was reviewed, but SIPTU has tended to accede to LRC requests of this type in the past.
Strike notice is due to run out at midnight on Wednesday. Cabin crew could engage in actions ranging from a limited work to rule to a full scale strike. If action does take place it is expected to be of a limited nature initially.
SIPTU said the lack of room service for members was particularly important, as they often needed to eat at unsocial hours because of work patterns.
"Room service might sound like a luxury but if you're jet lagged and exhausted, you need sound accommodation and ready access to a meal," Mr Hughes said.
He described the move to the Lucerne as "a worsening of people's working conditions without consultation or agreement".
The Aer Lingus director of corporate affairs, Mr Dan Loughrey, said the company welcomed the LRC's intervention. He hoped it would avert the threat facing the travelling public. "Both sides need to redouble efforts to resolve disputes through discussion rather than going to the brink of industrial action over every issue."