The board of Aer Lingus have reacted positively to the Labour Relations Commission’s (LRC) restructuring proposals but have asked the company’s management to seek clarification on a number of what it describes as "core issues critical to the company’s viability under the plan".
In a clear reference to the company’s concern over the need to resolve outstanding matters speedily, a spokesman stressed the need to meet the LRC timetable indicating union’s should have completed balloting its members on the proposals by December 7th.
SIPTU says it will take a few days to look over the proposals before holding information meetings for its 3,500 members.
They say a number of matters need to be resolved with the Government before they can put a full proposal to members for ballot.
"Only when these negotiations are finalised will the rescue package be properly completed. Once this has been achieved, then the full package will be put to staff in a ballot," Mr Noel Dowling, the union’s national industrial secretary, said.
IMPACT, one of the three main unions with members at Aer Lingus, echoed SIPTU’s insistence that acceptance of the rescue package was conditional on an improved employee shared-ownership package.
"We all accept that changes in working conditions are inevitable. But we are determined to protect staff from changes that are not essential to the survival of the airline," an IMPACT spokesperson said.
But Aer Lingus noted it was agreed that the LRC’s mediation would result in all ballots being completed by December 7th.
With important matters as yet unresolved, and the Government concerned about breaching EU rules on subsidies, this could create a tight timetable if the December date is to be met.
"The Government is still continuing to adopt an unduly conservative approach in its interpretation of EU rules on public investment," Mr Dowling said.
After the Aer Lingus board adjourned their meeting this morning, a spokesman said "there was much in the proposals that will help in the implementation of the company’s survival plan".