Hopes are rising that a resolution to the dispute between cabin crew and management at Aer Lingus can be found in time to stop the industrial action that threatens to ground the company's fleet next week.
Ireland.com
has learned that talks broke up last night after significant progress was made between the parties.
The Labour Court must make a recommendation before a meeting of the IMPACT strike committee can decide to call off the one-day strike scheduled for next Wednesday.
The dispute centres on pay rates and the length of time it takes to reach the top of the salary scale.
The existing Labour Court recommendation is to replace the current wage scale of £10,800 to £21,200, with a 15-point scale of £13,000 to £22,500. IMPACT claim under these proposals, it would take 35 years of service before a worker could reach the top rate.
If the Labour Court can formulate a recommendation by Monday, it could leave enough time for the union's strike committee to consider the recommendations before Wednesday's action.
IMPACT represent around 80 per cent of the airline's 1,600 cabin crew while SIPTU who have around 200 members are expected to announce the result of their ballot on industrial action next week.
If IMPACT decide to suspend their action a full ballot of members is required before the action can be permanently ended.