Aer Lingus dispute - Time for compromise

THE dispute at Aer Lingus has dragged on for too long. Workers feel threatened and the company feels it is being prevented from being as efficient as they might be. Passengers feel let down and very much an afterthought though the airline did spend huge sums trying to sustain services.

For all of these reasons the union-employer initiative launched in a bid to resolve the dispute is very welcome and hopefully will resolve the impasse.

If it cannot, the immediate future for all involved looks fraught. Ireland cannot afford anything that might jeopardise the airline and the jobs it provides. Though each side feels it has right on its side, there will be no resolution without movement from both parties.