Results of Aer Lingus staff ballot due later today

The result of a ballot for protective industrial action by Siptu workers at Aer Lingus is expected to be known at 4 p.m.

Up to 2,500 workers have been balloting during the past two weeks over the State airline's radical restructuring plan.

Airline unions are seeking one of the highest pay-off deals in the State - nine weeks of pay for every year served at the company, for the 1,325 affected workers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Aer Lingus management has proposed a three-year plan to transform the state airline to a low-fares carrier. As part of the restructuring almost a quarter of the workforce will leave the airline.

Siptu national industrial secretary Mr Michael Halpenny said the first priority is to ensure all change at the airline takes place by agreement.

Speaking on radio this morning he said, "it isn't just a question of sitting down and going through the motions there's a challenge to management to prove their case in a company which is due to make €100 million profit on the back of two previous profitable years".

"We are not going to be bullied or forced into change," Mr Halpenny added.