* Aer Lingus says to hold internal briefing
* Union expects to concern cost cutting
* Airline seen looking for about 130 mln euros of savings
By Andras Gergely
DUBLIN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Aer Lingus Group Plc is expected to brief workers on Wednesday about proposed measures to cut costs and reverse mounting losses, a union representing the former state carrier's workers said on Tuesday.
The airline, which has fended off two hostile bids from bigger Irish rival Ryanair Holdings Plc, said in August it would cut wages and probably jobs, but a detailed plan had to await the arrival last month of Chief Executive Christoph Mueller.
"There is a series of workshops taking place (tomorrow) that the company are hosting," said a spokesman for the IMPACT trade union, which represents hundreds of Aer Lingus cabin crew and pilots. "This is apparently when they will present their cost-cutting proposals."
A spokesman for Aer Lingus said some internal briefings were scheduled for Wednesday, adding he "could not confirm that any announcement was due" and would not elaborate.
The IMPACT spokesman said Aer Lingus had not yet informed the union about the content of the restructuring proposals. Another union, SIPTU, which represents mainly ground crew, said it would wait until Aer Lingus' announcement before making a comment.
Aer Lingus has been fast burning through its cash reserves due to a combination of declining sales -- especially on long-haul routes -- and high labour costs, a legacy of its history as a state-owned company.
A source close to the company, whose rival Ryanair has one of the lowest cost bases in the industry worldwide, said in August the planned savings could affect 10 percent of its cost base.
The Irish Times reported last week the board had agreed on a cost-cutting programme which could involve close to 500 of about 3,900 staff leaving the company and remaining employees taking a 10 percent pay cut in a bid to save 130 million euros. (Editing by David Holmes)