Michael (not his real name) didn't post back his letter of acceptance of the Aer Lingus offer to buy out his service and transfer to FLS yesterday. By not voting, he is rejecting an offer of £41,000.

A craft worker, with 25 years' service and two children attending school, it has not been an easy choice. He is also the sole breadwinner in the family.

He says he is angry at the way the whole process was conducted, particularly at the handling of the letters of guarantee issue.

"In 1990 when Aer Lingus was setting up TEAM, the government and the company gave us the letters to protect us in the event of a downturn," he says. Many believed then that the whole concept of the facility was ill founded and were proved right when the recession hit shortly afterwards.

Unfortunately, he says, much time has been spent since trying to prove the validity of the letters. He says the company has done everything in its power to undermine the standing of the letters.

He says, quite simply, if he signs up with FLS, he will be signing away his statutory rights. Under the transfer of undertakings his current conditions carry with him to the new company. However, over the years TEAM workers have suffered several pay freezes. He says he is several increments and several pay rises behind his Aer Lingus counterparts with the same service.

Overall, he reckons at least £20,000 of the money on offer accounts for the pay freezes and increments.