SIPTU pessimistic on prospects for Aer Lingus deal

A leading SIPTU official has expressed doubt that the union can reach agreement with Aer Lingus management about the planned sell-off of the airline.

SIPTU has already served notice of strike action that will kick in after Easter if the privatisation is pushed through without such an agreement.

Speaking to the Oireachtas Transport Committee today, SIPTU's Michael Halpenny said management had failed to properly engage with unions so far and he had little confidence that things would change in the near future.

"If they underestimate the difficulties before them, then it's going to be a very rocky road," he said.