Vital Aer Lingus talks in Labour Court

Both sides in the pay dispute at Aer Lingus are to meet at the High

Court later this morning.

The union SIPTU, representing 3,000 clerical and operative staff at the company, are meeting management in a bid to end the row that threatens to cripple the airline again on Thursday.

The chairman of the Labour Court Finbar Flood issued an invitation to both sides in the Aer Lingus dispute on Friday. The talks are aimed at settling the row over pay that has already led to two one-day strikes that grounded most of the Aer Lingus fleet affecting thousands of passengers.

SIPTU is accusing the company of acting in bad faith against clerical and operative staff. They are seeking the same pay terms as recently agreed with cabin crew.

But management is insisting that the current pay settlements are fair and equitable to each group of employees.