Talks to avert Aer Lingus strike adjourned

Negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission aimed at averting industrial action at Aer Lingus have been adjourned until tomorrow.

Management met LRC chairman Kevin Foley today to try to establish a basis for further engagement between the two sides in the dispute.

It is understood Mr Foley outlined a range of proposals to management today, which they have requested time to consider.

Siptu, the main union at the airline, held talks with the LRC yesterday afternoon.

In a statement tonight, SIPTU national industrial secretary Gerry McCormack said the union would return to the LRC on Monday for further talks.

“We have agreed to make ourselves available again on Monday to meet with Mr Foley and assist in his search for a solution to the dispute,” he said.

The row centres on management's plans to cut nearly 1,300 jobs and replace staff with outsourced contracts.

In a €74 million cost-cutting package, the airline wants to outsource ground operations, close cabin crew bases in Shannon and Heathrow, and use American crews on some transatlantic routes.

Siptu has served strike notice on Aer Lingus, which would come into effect on Monday, November 24th. The union is proposing an alternative to outsourcing arrangements planned by Aer Lingus.