Talks aimed at heading off a dispute at Aer Lingus before Christmas were continuing tonight at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
Siptu, the main union at the carrier, has proposed alternative measures to those set out by management at the airline in a bid to generate payroll savings of €50 million.
It is understood one part of the proposals would involve the company effectively buying out existing terms and conditions of staff, who would remain with the company.
A Siptu spokesman said the union was examining alternatives to outsourcing. The union will return to talks at the LRC tomorrow morning.
Aer Lingus management attended the LRC yesterday.
Management met LRC head of conciliation Kevin Foley on Saturday 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 yesterday, which they requested time to consider. Management returned to the LRC yesterday for several hours of talks.
Siptu held talks with the commission on Friday afternoon.
Under the carrier's plans, about 1,300 jobs will go through outsourcing, redundancy and early retirement.
The airline is seeking to shut down cabin-crew bases in Shannon and Heathrow, and use US crews on some transatlantic routes.
Siptu has served notice for strike action on Aer Lingus. This is to come into effect from next Monday, November 24th.
The union has indicated that from that date it could commence either limited industrial action, such as work stoppages, or a full-scale strike that could include pickets.