A late-night deal has averted a threat to Aer Lingus flights this morning after the company agreed to withdraw contract caterers due to work on a transatlantic flight.
After the measure was introduced without consultation, workers intended to hold general meetings at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports to discuss the issue this morning.
Disruption to between ten and 15 flights would have been likely has the meetings gone ahead. But late last night the company agreed to withdraw the outside caterers, for the time being.
In a statement issued shortly after midnight, Siptu said: "An interim solution has been found to the difficulties that arose at Aer Lingus late yesterday. There will be further contact through normal channels later today between SIPTU and the company with a view to finding a more lasting resolution to the problem."
Both sides had blamed each other for the dispute which emerged just hours after they had agreed to refer their dispute over the company's restructuring plan to a facilitator.
The highly profitable airline says it needs to shed 1,350 jobs in order to remain competitive. Unions say the redundancy package on offer is unfair to those with long service and that those remaining with the company should be given a significant pay rise.