SIPTU says they would welcome a new intervention to resolve a pension dispute that is threatening disruption at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Counting of votes is getting underway after members at Aer Lingus were ballotted on whether to take industrial action.

SIPTU members at Dublin and Cork airports have approved the idea, and a result of today's count is expected this afternoon.

Tourism chiefs are warning of the impact of any air disruption around the timing of Six Nations rugby matches, or St. Patrick's Day.

SIPTU representative Dermot O'Loughlin says this dispute needn't go down to the wire:

The union says the basis of the dispute is that a worker in his 40s is facing the prospect of a pension that will be worthless by the time of retirement. 

SIPTU insists what workers are looking for wouldn't endanger the DAA's profits.