Aer Lingus to respond to ground staff rejection

Aer Lingus is expected to respond to the latest rejection of its cost cutting proposals by ground staff.

Shop stewards at the airline had recommended acceptance of the plan, but 1,800 workers voted against it during a secret ballot.

Ground staff have already voted to take industrial action if the airline tries to implement the reforms without union approval.

SIPTU's National industrial secretary Gerry McCormack says it is clear that local negotiations have not worked.

He said members did not feel there had been sufficient progress made to warrant an acceptance of the plan.