The members of unions representing staff in Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action.
The ballot mandates the six unions involved - SIPTU, Impact, Mandate, TEEU, Unite, UCATT - to engage in industrial action in the event that either or both companies allow changes to be made to the Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme (IAAS), without the agreement of the staff concerned.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Industrial Officer Liam Berney said: "The result of this ballot should send a clear message to both companies that staff are determined to secure their pension entitlements and are prepared to act to ensure this is the case. It is now up to both companies to come forward with proposals that meet the expectations of members of the IASS.
"The unions are available for meaningful negotiations. However the time has come for the companies to put forward realistic proposals that are capable of being given serious consideration," Mr Berney concluded.
