SIPTU: We've got to get clear commitments in Aer Lingus deal

A senior trade union official says IAG will have to "do a lot" to convince members to back their bid for Aer Lingus.

It comes ahead of the first meeting between the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and IAG later, which comes after the head of the airline's Central Representative Council said staff were broadly in favour of the takeover bid.

However, ICTU says it is "surprised" by Myles Worth's comments.

Owen Reidy, a Utilities and Construction Division Organiser with SIPTU, said IAG is yet to win union support.

Mr Reidy said: "They would have to do a lot (to win our support) and the Government would have to secure a lot and I don’t think with one meeting with IAG we're going to be in a position to be pro or anti anything.

"But we have got to go through the process, we've got to get clear commitments, we've got to have legally binding, collective agreements that continue direct labour in Aer Lingus."

Meanwhile, the IMPACT Trade Union has written to Aer Lingus Management to restate its opposition to a takeover of the airline.

In a letter to the Chief Executive Designate of the airline, IMPACT said the takeover is bad for Aer Lingus staff and threatens their jobs.

Niall Shanahan of the Union says his members remain opposed to the IAG offer:

"Myles represented what I think could be and individual view, based on his own experiences - there was no prior consultation with the unions," he said.