Union sources have confirmed that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is involved in a fresh attempt to resolve the pensions dispute at Aer Lingus.

It is understood employers group IBEC is also working on the joint effort which could involve a proposal for more talks.

A 2-hour work stoppage is planned for the 19th of this month.

It comes after talks aimed at resolving the row broke down on how to deal with a €750 million deficit in the company pension scheme.

The work stoppage will affect flights at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airport.

Minister urges talks

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has offered workers a pension of 78% of their final salary on retirement but Aer Lingus want the maximum payout to be held at 66%.

It is estimated a 78% payout would cost the airline more than €200 million and could be difficult to gain the approval of shareholders.

The Transport Minister has already called on all sides in the dispute to begin talking again and warned the planned stoppage would inconvenience thousands of passengers.