Staff at Independent Newspapers have been placed on protective notice because of a threat of industrial action at its printing plant in City West, Dublin, from this Friday.
Union and management representatives expressed confidence yesterday that the issues could be resolved and industrial action averted.
The action has been threatened by the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union over a management decision to impose new rosters on fitters at the plant.
A total of seven fitters are involved in the dispute. However, the dispute is complicated by an inter-union row between the TEEU and another union, Amicus, over which has the right to represent the fitters concerned. The matter has been referred to the ICTU, which is to issue a decision shortly.
Mr Arthur Hall of the TEEU accused the company of creating a storm in a teacup by placing staff on protective notice.
"It is the most ludicrous over-reaction since William Martin Murphy owned the newspaper," he said.
His union had no intention of proceeding with industrial action as long as the company did not go ahead with its new rosters, and all the parties had to do was wait a short period for the ICTU decision.
A spokesman for the company said there were ongoing discussions between the parties with a view to resolving the dispute.
