SIPTU to serve strike notice on Aer Lingus today

SIPTU is to serve two weeks' strike notice on Aer Lingus this morning as part of a row over the company's latest €74m cost-cutting plan.

The airline has put forward proposals that could see up to 1,500 jobs being outsourced to other firms.

It had been in talks with trade unions on the matter, but walked out of the discussions several days ago and threatened to press ahead with the cost cuts before Christmas.

More than 80% of SIPTU members have voted in favour of taking industrial actions if any changes are introduced without agreement.