Labour Relations Commission (LRC) talks between construction industry employers and scaffolders' representatives broke down yesterday evening after only one day.
The chairman of the Dublin Scaffolders' Society, Mr Andrew McGuinness, is likely to address scaffolders at an early morning meeting in Dublin today, at which they are likely to vote to resume their unofficial action.
"We didn't make progress on anything. Not on health and safety or on training or on pay. Nothing. I can only see things escalating," Mr McGuinness said.
A spokesman for the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) said the LRC had decided that non-pay issues could be agreed among the parties, and confirmed that the CIF made no offer on pay.
"There was a level of intransigence displayed that bodes ill for future negotiations," he said.
The SIPTU negotiator, Mr Eric Fleming, said there was no "meaningful offer" from the employers and "no progress on the central issue of pay".
"This is very regrettable given the huge effort that had gone into getting these talks started. I would urge all parties to find a way to continue talking."
The scaffolders are seeking pay increases, improved health and safety protections, extra training and a registration system.
