Aer Rianta unions yesterday postponed a decision on whether to go ahead with a planned two-hour stoppage on Tuesday or enter talks with the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
The action at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports is still scheduled to take place. There remains a slim prospect, however, that it could be called off on Monday, depending on the outcome of contacts between the two sides.
Following a meeting of the unions yesterday, the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr David Begg, wrote to Mr Brennan, asking him for clarifications on his offer of talks on the future of Aer Rianta.
Mr Brennan has said the decision to break up the airports management company is not for renegotiation, but he is prepared to talk about employment issues such as job security and pensions.
Union representatives are to meet again on Monday before deciding to go ahead with the stoppage, which is due to begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
The board of Aer Lingus, meanwhile, deferred a decision yesterday on whether to accept or reject a Labour Court recommendation on its dispute with cabin crew. An Aer Lingus statement said the board had "noted" the recommendation and the fact that it had not resulted in an end to industrial action by cabin crew. "In those circumstances the Aer Lingus board and management will continue to keep the recommendation under review."
The union involved, IMPACT, said it was awaiting clarification from the court on aspects of the recommendation. The union called off a strike planned for last Monday, but is continuing a work-to-rule. The dispute is over the amount of work practice change the cabin crew involved must accept in return for a delayed 4 per cent pay rise.
