A resumption of the unofficial action by scaffolders is likely to lead to an escalation of the dispute and the laying off of hundreds of construction workers from today as normal working hours resume at building sites after the weekend.
While some building contractors have begun laying off scaffolders or putting the workers on protective notice, other construction workers are expected to support the scaffolders, who are part of the recently formed Dublin Scaffolders Society. Pickets were due to resume at prominent Dublin sites from early this morning.
Talks at the Labour Relations Commission broke down on Thursday, but there was no indication yesterday of an early return.