SIPTU has said this evening it will ballot its members on industrial action following the decision by Aer Lingus management to make up to 102 employees redundant.
SIPTU's National Industrial Secretary, Mr Michael Halpenny, said: "It is our intention to begin balloting our members in Shannon next Tuesday, March 2nd, for industrial action, to be taken if management imposes any change including redundancies - without agreement with the Union".
A spokeswoman for the company said the airline would make a formal statement once it had briefed its own staff. It is expected that the company will seek voluntary redundancies under the proposals.
Mr Halpenny said the workers at Shannon have played their part in helping to turn Aer Lingus around from a loss making situation of €27 million to a profitable position of nearly €100 million
through the company's survival plan.