Proposals to resolve the dispute that has shut large numbers of ATM machines on the east coast are to be voted on today by employees of the cash delivery firm Brinks Allied.
Their union, SIPTU, is recommending acceptance of the proposals, which were drawn up last night at the end of five hours of talks at the Labour Relations Commission.
The row is over an attempt by the company to introduce new security procedures that employees claim would leave them more vulnerable to attack.
About 70 per cent of non-branch cash machines owned by AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank in the east coast area have been left empty as a result of the dispute. Unless employees accept the settlement proposals, machines at branches may also begin to be affected within two days.
SIPTU claimed yesterday that the company's new procedures left employees open to an increased risk of "injury or even death". The most controversial element is an instruction to van-drivers to drive away from a threatened colleague in the event of a robbery.
Entering the talks at the LRC yesterday, SIPTU branch secretary Mr Kevin McMahon said it was "completely unacceptable" that a driver should be required to leave a colleague "to the mercy of armed criminals".
"Most of our people employed in Brinks have experienced armed assault, have had shotguns put to their temple, have sustained injuries from blows from the butt of a gun and had guns discharged over their heads."
There had been an average of one armed attack a week and, given the sensitivity of the situation, Brinks should have consulted fully with the union before implementing changes, he said.
A Brinks Allied spokesman could not be contacted while the talks were in progress. The company has said it introduced new security vans and procedures in response to a rise in attempted robberies.
