Aer Lingus dispute may escalate into all-out strike

The dispute over Aer Lingus' cost-cutting plans could be set to escalate into an all-out strike, with SIPTU asking the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to endorse mass action by all workers at the airline.

The move follows a threat by management to suspend any employee who does not give a written undertaking to work as normal next week.

Nearly 2,000 ground staff are planning to mount four-hour stoppages on Tuesday and Friday to protest at the introduction of inferior contracts for new staff members.

Their union, SIPTU, says it plans to consult other unions asking them not to cross picket lines, which would lead to an all-out strike and the grounding of all Aer Lingus flights.