No progress was reported at talks on job cuts and restructuring at The Irish Times yesterday. Both sides are to meet again on Monday.
Contrary to some press reports, no redundancy package was put forward by management at yesterday's talks. Discussions continue to focus on a timetable and sequence for discussing issues.
The company wants to agree a redundancy package first, on the basis that agreement on job cuts is a necessary precondition to deciding how the company will function in the future.
However, the unions are seeking concurrent negotiations on all aspects of restructuring.
If progress is not made on Monday both sides face hard decisions, given the tight deadlines imposed by financial pressures to conclude talks. It is possible that third party assistance, such as that of the Labour Relations Commission, may be sought. There was some progress on the issue of corporate governance. The company is expected to give a substantive response to the unions' demand for greater participation in decision-making within two weeks.