Behind-the-scenes talks to avert this morning's pickets at six of AIBP's meat plants in the Republic failed last night, writes Padraig Yeates. If the pickets go ahead, about 650 employees are likely to be laid off.
The dispute is over a severance package for workers who have been on short-time working because of BSE. Last night's discussions were organised through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.
A formula was unacceptable to shop stewards. The company was seeking commitments on the procedures to be adopted. It believes a month-old strike at the factories by SIPTU and the ATGWU is in breach of existing procedures.
The unions have secured all-out picket status from the ICTU on the basis that the company is refusing to engage in meaningful talks. Vets and agricultural officers from the Department of Agriculture could refuse to clear livestock at the plants.
In that event the plants would have to close as they would be in breach of their licences from the department, which could be left open to legal redress being sought by AIBP.