A series of emergency meetings of Siptu members at Aer Lingus is to consider balloting for industrial action following a discussions between senior officials and shop stewards today.
The meetings are due to take place, beginning next week.
Siptu national industrial secretary Michael Halpenny said the union was acting in accordance to procedures and any element of escalation in the situation had been introduced by the Government side.
An Ictu delegation including Siptu, Mandate and the TEEU, met Minister for Transport Martin Cullen this afternoon amid deepening concerns about plans to privatise the company.
Mr Halpenny this afternoon said concern about the lack of consultation about issues such as core staffing levels, job evaluation, reward and recognition for change, and pensions were aired at this morning's meeting.
Public interest aspects of the proposed flotation of the company in the light of other privatisations such as Eircom and B&I, were also raised.
Siptu officials last week voiced their displeasure at receiving the company's business plan at short notice and have warned of a serious deficit in the company pension scheme.
Mr Halpenny, said the Government had yet to explain how the €250 million deficit would be addressed.
However, last month The Irish Timesreported a Government source said over €200 million would be allocated to the scheme from funds raised by privatisation. It is thought a flotation would raise €700 million to €800 million.
Mr Halpenny was one of the officials addressing shop stewards from Dublin, Shannon and Cork this morning where a presentation of the company business plan was made.
Mr Halpenny said: "Significant elements of the current business plan - including the numbers of permanent jobs - remain unresolved.
"We will have a full discussion with our shop stewards about the implications of any decision by the Government which affects our members' terms and conditions of employment and exactly what measures we need to take in order to protect them."
Siptu is opposed to plan to put the company on the stock market, although a poll by of Aer Lingus staff found a majority support part privatisation provided they receive a 15 per cent stake.