Aer Lingus set to agree on cost-saving with ground staff

YESTERDAY’S deadline for final agreement on the e20 million cost-savings at Aer Lingus failed to be met as the airline engaged in yet more talks with worker representatives.

However, following more than a year of talks and numerous strike action threats, Aer Lingus last night looked set to reach tentative agreement with at least half of its staff on the divisive Programme for Continuous Improvement 2007 efficiency document.

A last-minute hitch with ground staff over breaks was ironed out and, while there are a number of other teething difficulties, SIPTU, which represents those workers, said it was confident talks today and next week could see the production of a “joint working document”.