Cullen set to inform unions of Aer Lingus sell-off plans
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has invited unions representing Aer Lingus workers to meet with him later today.
The move is fuelling fresh speculation that the Government is planning an imminent announcement on the privatisation of the national airline.
Mr Cullen is expected to inform the unions of his planned mechanism for selling off the company.
SIPTU, the largest union at Aer Lingus, is currently holding an emergency meeting on the matter at Dublin Airport.
The union opposes the planned sell-off, which was announced by the Government last year.
It is particularly concerned about job security in the wake of privatisation and a deficit in the Aer Lingus pension fund estimated at around €350m.
SIPTU also believes selling the airline is totally unnecessary as Aer Lingus is making good profits at a time of intense competition that has forced many of its rivals to go out of business.
