Minister of State for Trade and Commerce John McGuinness should address his own shortcomings before criticising others.

SIPTU is accusing the Irish Hotels Federation, which is holding its annual conference in Killkenny, of supporting the exploitation of hotel workers.

AHEAD of today’s announcement by AerLingus of its 2006 financial results, SIPTU has said that if, as it expects, a major profit is revealed, the company will have to work very hard to justify the cost-cutting measures it is trying to force on its workers.

Hundreds of Aer Lingus workers are balloting on industrial action this weekend in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Unions at Aer Lingus are eagerly awaiting the publication of the company's new cost-cutting plans later today.

SIPTU says it has received assurances that Aer Lingus is not planning sweeping jobs cuts as reported in yesterday's newspapers.

SIPTU is playing down media reports that Aer Lingus is planning significant lay-offs to help it compete with Ryanair.

SIPTU workers at Aer Lingus are staging a protest outside the Dáil this morning to highlight their opposition to Ryanair's takeover bid.

The long-running dispute over the part-privatisation of Aer Lingus neared resolution today after the company agreed to give workers a generous pay rise.

Fresh doubts were cast tonight on a deal between workers and management at Aer Lingus, which was expected to pave the way for the airline’s privatisation next month.

Aer Lingus unions are planning protests at Cork and Shannon airports in their bid to block the privatisation of the national airline, it emerged today.

SIPTU is holding a public meeting in Dublin Airport this evening to discuss its concerns about the planned privatisation of Aer Lingus.

SIPTU officials are meeting Aer Lingus management in Dublin today to discuss their concerns surrounding the planned privatisation of the national airline.

SIPTU leaders say they are a little more optimistic about key concerns surrounding the privatisation of Aer Lingus following a meeting with management.

SIPTU is due to hold further talks with Aer Lingus management today over the planned privatisation of the national airline.

SIPTU will be making its submission to the Oireachtas today over the Government’s intention to sell a majority stake in Aer Lingus.

Security staff at Dublin Airport are to hold a vote on whether to co-operate with new online check-in procedures.

STRIKES could ground Aer Lingus flights during the peak holiday season if the Government’s privatisation plans go ahead, it was warned yesterday.

Strikes could ground Aer Lingus flights during the peak holiday season if the Government’s privatisation plans go ahead, it was warned today.

THE management trio running Aer Lingus should be removed immediately if reports that they are planning to form a rival airline are true, SIPTU has said.