Good news, talks to be confirmed
Last Updated: 20/08/2007 12:47
Pilots accept LRC invite from Aer Lingus
The Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) has accepted an invitation from Aer Lingus for joint talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and will call off its strike when talks are confirmed.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion last night wrote to the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA) calling on the union to withdraw its strike notice and to immediately engage with the company.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion
In a statement issued a short time ago by IALPA, the union said it would suspend the strike when Aer Lingus provided written confirmation that it agreed to the talks.
The news that the strike action is likely to be averted will come as a relief to the estimated 40,000 passengers who would have been affected by the 48-hour walkout by almost 500 pilots.
The pilots proposed to strike over the airline's plans to hire pilots for the new Belfast base on less favourable terms and conditions than its pilots flying out of the Republic.
It also emerged last night that the Taoiseach has asked Government officials to examine options for airline connections to the region.
A report in this morning's Irish Times says the group will begin work in the coming days and that Cabinet will consider the issue in 10 days' time at its first meeting after the holidays.
The group has also been asked to examine the