A proposal received from the management of Aer Lingus in relation to the guaranteeing of workers’ terms and conditions of employment in the event of a takeover by IAG does not adequately deal with their concerns.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: “The union received a response from Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Stephen Kavanagh, to our request that the company enters into a legally binding agreement that would protect workers conditions of employment and jobs in the event of an IAG takeover of the airline.

“Unfortunately, although the response does indicate some movement by management, overall it is too vague and conditional to form a sound basis for discussions on the issues of concern.”

He added: “Our members in Aer Lingus are seeking the protection of a Registered Employment Agreement, or a similar legally binding commitment, in relation to their terms and conditions of employment. The response from management in relation to this request does not go far enough and in key respects is ambiguous.

“The SIPTU position is that unless the company can provide robust guarantees in relation to the areas of concern to our members the Government should not even consider selling its share in the airline.”