By the end of next month, unions will be in a position to accurately inform each individual employee about how the expert group and company proposals will impact on their pension benefits at retirement age. IMPACT believes it would be unfair to workers to leave a huge cloud over their retirement income without informing them of the facts and giving them the chance to vote.

The pension fund covers most staff in Aer Lingus and the Dublin and Shannon airport authorities.

IMPACT said all unions had agreed a recommendation from the expert group to establish a joint communications steering group, which has been chaired by a former Siptu official. The communications group – which includes reps from all the unions concerned, including Siptu – has agreed to provide each employee with an individualised information pack, which will be available for distribution next month prior to a ballot.

It has also been agreed that helplines and information websites will be established for staff in the three companies – Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority. Information meetings are also being organised.

Meanwhile, meetings between unions and management will take place shortly to discuss the final proposals received from Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority.