Employer leaders are encountering unprecedented resistance from companies to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF).
At a series of regional meetings, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation negotiators have been surprised by the level of opposition to the deal.
Six of IBEC's 10 regional divisions have so far held meetings to discuss the deal, and a majority of employers at three of the meetings were against it, according to observers.
Many employers are querying the ability of trade unions to deliver industrial peace for another three years.
But they are also unhappy at the extent of the pay increases negotiated, which they see as being at the higher end of the spectrum they consider acceptable.
The resistance from employers follows mounting opposition among trade unions to the new programme.
On Wednesday delegates at a special conference of Mandate, the State's second-largest trade union, unanimously rejected the deal and urged their 37,000 members to vote against it.
Among employers, the IBEC leadership has had a difficult task selling the package to members. Many employers fear that the experience of the last two years of Partnership 2000, with many disputes being settled for more than originally envisaged, will be repeated with the PPF.
However, the only body empowered to decide the IBEC position is its general council. The council is to meet on March 23rd - the same day as the special delegate conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
IBEC's response adds to the pressure on the negotiators of the PPF, as does mounting fears that inflation rates will rise.
ICTU's vice-president, Senator Joe O'Toole, sought to allay fears among trade unionists on this issue yesterday by pointing out that there was a central review mechanism in the national agreement.
"Let it be understood", he said, "that should inflation rise substantially and thus reduce the real value of pay increases, the programme will have to be revisited and reviewed."
Last week, official inflation figures showed an annual rate of 4 per cent, the highest level in 10 years.
Meanwhile, the campaign for a Yes vote on the PPF received a boost yesterday when the Public Service Executive Union's executive recommended acceptance.
The PSEU general secretary, Mr Dan Murphy, said national programmes had delivered increases of income worth 37 per cent since 1987. The new programme guaranteed further substantial increases in living standards.
"Constructive engagement by the trade union movement has created our economic miracle," he said.
The Civil and Public Service Union executive also met yesterday. Despite strong pressure from its militant rank-and-file, the CPSU has issued ballot papers without a recommendation. It had been expected to reject the PPF.
Now the union will simply outline the arguments for and against the agreement. CPSU general secretary Mr Blair Horan said last night that the 3 per cent increase for members was "a major victory", but he also said the absence of a large flat rate increase for the low-paid was disappointing.