IRISH Life has asked the MSF union official, Mr John Tierney, to contact the company about arranging a meeting, a spokesman said last night.

The company was replying to a letter from Mr Tierney stating that the union was available for talks.

As tentative moves towards communication started, 13 Irish Life branch offices and the company headquarters in Dublin were picketed yesterday by members of the MSF union who have been suspended by the company.

All 320 MSF members on the Irish Life sales team were suspended this week for refusing to cooperate with the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation on changes in work practices.

Other MSF members working in Irish Life passed the pickets in line with a union instruction. They were told that as their branch was not in dispute with the company they should report for work in the normal way. "We are trying to take a responsible position despite the lockout of our members," Mr Tierney said.

"We hope we can meet and progress the matter," a company spokesman said last night. Stressing that "the kernel" of the dispute was still there - the implementation of six Labour Court recommendations on changes in work practices - he said: "We are prepared to discuss MSF's arguments."

Mr Tierney, who had not received any communication from the company when he spoke to The Irish Times, last night said he had written twice to the company seeking talks. "We know there has to be a settlement at some stage," he said. However, he added that rumours circulating yesterday that the company intended to sack probationary employees (less than a year with the company) had incensed his members.

The sales staff who were suspended without pay will get £30 perweek from their union and some will apply for supplementary social welfare.

MSF members within Irish Life have set up a hardship fund for the sales force and £3,000 has been raised, he said adding that MSF members in other companies have made pledges of financial support.

"We are prepared for a long dispute" he said.

The suspended sales staff say they must be properly compensated for changes in their work practices and structures. They wanted a full technology agreement and assurances on job security.

Irish Life has already had discussions with the SIPTU trade union to discuss the attitude of its 40 members to the changes proposed in sales practices. It is understood that SIPTU will hold a meeting of its members to discuss the changes next week.