Labour Court talks between Aer Lingus and SIPTU are continuing this evening in an attempt to prevent another strike on Thursday.
The strike by 3,000 clerical and operative staff threatens to leave about 20,000 passengers stranded on what is one of the busiest days of the year.
The staff are seeking a once-off ‘catch up’ pay rise similar to that secured by Aer Lingus cabin crew last month.
Chaired by Mr Finbarr Flood, the Labour Court hearings take place as the State airline's board holds an unscheduled meeting to discuss its business performance.
The company's chairman Mr Bernie Cahill called the board meeting last week. He is expected to consult the Minister for Public Enterprise Ms O'Rourke later.
Separate talks between the airline and its pilots' union, IMPACT, will be chaired by the Labour Relations Commission today. The pilots are seeking a 70 per cent increase to bring their pay in line with airlines such as British Airways.
Moves to resolve the dispute between Aer Lingus and SIPTU come a day after the Taoiseach Mr Ahern said on RTÉ Radio's This Weekprogramme the action was not in the interests of SIPTU, the airline or the country.