SIPTU reports some progress in Aer Lingus talks

SIPTU has said a lot of progress has been made in the past 24 hours during talks with Aer Lingus management in an effort to prevent travel chaos at the country's airports tomorrow.

The dispute centres on the airline's new cost cutting plan and changes to work practices.

It says these will be implemented with or without union agreement, and it is threatening to suspend workers who do not comply from tomorrow.

SIPTU meanwhile has balloted members on industrial action, and a result will be known this afternoon.

Spokesperson for the union Padraig Yeates has said that although progress is being made, time is becoming a problem.

He said the union will push for the deadline, of midnight tonight, to be extended.