Ballot count delayed as Aer Lingus talks continue

A counting of ballots cast by SIPTU members of Aer Lingus at Dublin Airport, due to take place at 4pm, will not now take place until later this evening.

This is due to what is being described as the “extensive progress” being made in talks between airline management and union members currently taking place at the airport.

It is unclear exactly the nature of the issues being discussed, as negotiations are at such a delicate stage, union representatives are unwilling to disclose the details of what is being discussed, and representatives for the company have not made themselves available.

Both sides have been locked in talks over the weekend to avert action the union says it will embark on if changes to work practices the company wish to introduce are pushed through without union agreement.

Also at Dublin Airport, flights in and out have been curtailed for safety reasons due what the Irish Aviation Authority describes as "an unusually high level of illness among traffic controllers" in a statement the authority issued this afternoon.

This is occurring one day before both sides are due to attend talks at the Labour Relations Commission tomorrow morning to resolve issues that have arisen including staffing levels, pay, overtime rates and rotas.