The Labour Relations Commission has invited management and unions at Aer Lingus to exploratory talks on Friday in a bid to resolve a dispute of proposed changes in working practices at the airline.
Unions at the airline are balloting their members for industrial action which could result in a strike as early as the start of next month.
Both Siptu and Impact, which represent a range of Aer Lingus employees including pilots, cabin crew and general staff, are objecting to proposed changes in working practices, such as holiday and overtime pay and grading structures.
These proposed changes were outlined to the unions in December as part of a cost-cutting exercise entitled "Programme for Continuous Improvement".