TV3 could face a dispute with SIPTU, following its refusal to meet the union or attend the Labour Relations Commission to resolve differences.
The SIPTU president, Mr Des Geraghty, and vice-president, Mr Jack O'Connor, are to consider a request for a strike sanction today.
According to the union, some TV3 staff earn little more than half as much as their counterparts in RTE. For example, an ENG (Electronic News Gathering) camera operator earns £18,000 in TV3, compared with £34,000 in RTE.
A spokesman said TV3's position was outlined in letters to the head of the LRC's conciliation service, Mr Ray McGee, and a SIPTU branch secretary, Mr Jimmy Jordan.
In the letter to Mr McGee, TV3's managing director, Mr Rick Hetherington, described the company as "a progressive, forward-looking employer". He added that the company had put considerable effort into providing "a happy, safe and productive workplace". He acknowledged the importance of the conciliation service "in situations where employees require the assistance of a trade union to deal with a regressive or harsh employer."
But Mr Hetherington said he did not think the conference "would be of assistance to either SIPTU, TV3, or indeed, most importantly, any of our employees who are members of SIPTU".
It is open to SIPTU to use the new Industrial Relations Act to seek recognition: however, this does not come into force until September. Yesterday Mr Jordan said: "All we want to do is talk to the company about our members' pay and conditions."
He refused to say how many TV3 staff were unionised, although inquiries suggest about 50 per cent, which would be enough to cause disruption.