The SR Technics unions have asked for the dispute at the company to be referred "as a matter of urgency" to the Labour Court, a statement from Siptu said today.
“The Labour Relations Commission was put in an impossible position by the company because management refused to budge on its decision to close or make any move to deal with the pension shortfall or improve the redundancy offer”, Siptu branch organiser Pat Ward said.
“In view of the rapidly approaching deadline for almost half the workforce to be let go we have asked the Labour Court to prioritise the case.”
According to the union, some 600 of the 1,350 employees are to be let go in lieu of notice on April 3rd, while another 100 are expected to follow two weeks later and the rest progressively laid off by August 31st.
Mr Ward said there was still no word from the IDA or Enterprise Ireland about a short list of bidders for the facility. “However we do expect it later this week and will be pressing them for it if it is not forthcoming by then”, he said.
However, in a statement released tonight, SR Technics said it has "openly and constructively" engaged with employee representatives at its Dublin facility during the statutory consultation process.
"In support of this process, the company attended extensive talks today before the Labour Relations Commission in an effort to reach an equitable agreement with employee representatives."
"During the talks, SR Technics reiterated that the company is currently going through a restructuring programme to ensure its ongoing viability and that the redundancy package which has been offered, and its ability to fund the pension scheme, is limited by the financial resources available under this programme."
The company said "good progress" was made on clarifying some important matters and procedural issues. "As part of normal procedure the matter has now been referred to the Labour Court and the parties have requested that a hearing takes place at the earliest possible date".
SR Technics said that, as stated, it has received a number of approaches from third parties relating to its Dublin facility, adding all of these are being "evaluated in detail" by the company.
"To date, none of the formal expressions of interests received have demonstrated that they have secured the necessary financial backing for the acquisition of part, or all, of the business. Additionally, none of the proposals so far commit to taking on the existing workforce under transfer of undertakings legislation."
The company added remained committed to "thoroughly evaluating" any proposals that are received before tomorrow’s deadline.
Last month, the aircraft maintenance firm announced it was closing its operation at Dublin airport, with the loss of more than 1,100 jobs.