Strike looms as Aer Lingus ends talks

DISRUPTIVE strike action is looming at Aer Lingus after it last night pulled out of talks with SIPTU on an alternative to its plans to make redundant or outsource 1,500 ground staff.

The airline said it had yesterday received proposals from outsourcing suppliers who will take on the ground operations and said it will be in a position to select the successful candidate by the end of next week.

Aer Lingus has been in talks with SIPTU for four weeks. The airline had entered the talks in the Labour Relations Commission to allow the unions to come up with an alternative method of saving €50 million.