Aer Lingus says it does not expect any disruption to its flights as a result of tomorrow's action by more than 400 caterers. However, shop stewards have been actively seeking commitments from other SIPTU workers at the airport, including those working for suppliers, Dublin Bus and taxi-drivers, not to pass their pickets during the 24-hour stoppage.
"We will be operating a normal schedule for the duration of the action," Mr Dan Loughrey, Aer Lingus director of corporate affairs, said yesterday.
Mr Loughrey said that centralised talks on pay for all the general operative grades were due to begin at the Labour Court on Friday. He felt most Aer Lingus staff would be prepared to wait for these talks before taking further industrial action.
If the caterers' action goes ahead, there will be no hot meals on some flights tomorrow and possibly not even sandwiches on short-haul routes. It is expected that, even if other employees pass the caterers, aircraft cleaners will support them.
Mr Loughrey said that if this occurred it would not prevent aircraft taking off. He maintained that less cleaning would be required because of the reduced level of catering.
Mr Dermot O'Loughlin, a SIPTU official, described the caterers as the "quintessentially low-paid group" at the airport.
"Employment structures and pay structures are incredibly outmoded and the company is not providing career structures for the vast majority of people," he said. "They are predominantly women and yet opportunities to progress always seem to favour men. Unless the company is prepared to address these difficulties our resolve is to do whatever it takes to remedy the situation."