The result of the TEAM Aer Lingus ballot should be known before lunchtime today. The facilitator, Mr Gerard Durcan SC, is expected to begin the count as soon as the first post is delivered at the Law Library this morning.
The deadline for returning acceptance forms for the FLS buyout of Aer Lingus's aircraft maintenance plant was last Friday, but forms which arrive in this morning's post will be included.
Industry sources were sceptical of weekend reports that FLS might still opt to take over TIMCO, a US-based aircraft maintenance company, in preference to TEAM. The chairman of FLS, Mr Steffen Harpoth, said as recently as 11 days ago that TEAM remained the company's preferred strategic acquisition, provided the workforce agreed to accept the £54.6 million buy-out from Aer Lingus of their letters of guarantee of continued employment.
Even if the vast majority of TEAM workers agree to transfer to the Danish conglomerate, FLS will still need to examine the composition of the vote. Unless the bulk of skilled and licensed aircraft maintenance crews opt for the transfer, it may look elsewhere to invest. The company is also likely to "factor in" the extra £2 million in payroll costs which it has incurred in its latest offer to the TEAM workforce.
If sufficient TEAM workers agree to the FLS acquisition there will still be a rump of employees likely to insist on their return to Aer Lingus. In that event, the first problem the airline will face is where to absorb them.
If there is an insufficient majority in today's count Aer Lingus has indicated that it will wind down TEAM within two months.