Aer Lingus talks with pilots postponed

Talks between Aer Lingus management and representatives of its pilots scheduled for today have been postponed until Monday.

Talks between Aer Lingus management and representatives of its pilots scheduled for today have been postponed until Monday.

The talks, aimed at resolving the row over the airline's plans for a new base in Belfast, adjourned after two hours on Wednesday.

The talks were the first time that senior Aer Lingus management had met the union for face-to-face talks on the Belfast issue since the dispute broke out last month.

During talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last week both parties had been in separate rooms.

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The talks at the LRC averted plans by nearly 500 pilots at Aer Lingus for a 48-hour strike over the plans by the airline to employ staff in Belfast on what the union considered to be inferior conditions to those applying in the Republic.

The trade union Impact said the question of industrial action by pilots at Aer Lingus would only become an issue again if the talks broke down. This had not happened.

Aer Lingus deferred plans on Wednesday to publish details of the pay and conditions which it wishes to apply for pilots and cabin crew at its new Belfast base.

It is understood that Aer Lingus is anxious to press ahead with the recruitment process for Belfast, which is due to come into operation in December.