Aer Lingus bosses to meet IMPACT

Aer Lingus chiefs have offered to meet the trade union IMPACT tomorrow afternoon in an effort to avoid a one-day strike by cabin crew scheduled for next Wednesday.

IMPACT members yesterday voted by 98% to reject a Labour Court-sponsored pay deal and begin staged industrial action.

IMPACT's Bernard Harbor said tonight: "While the company's overtures are welcome, nothing short of a resolution of the dispute will prevent the strike going ahead."

The union represents 1400 Aer Lingus cabin crew at Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Heathrow Airports, which would all be affected by the one-day stoppage.