Engineers in Irish Rail are to stage a one-day stoppage on Wednesday over what they claim is the company's failure to implement pay increases recommended by the Labour Court.
The action will not hit passenger services, however, according to the two unions involved, Amicus and the TSSA.
Irish Rail, which denies it has failed to pay Labour Court-recommended awards, hopes the dispute can be averted through talks that will take place today.
More than 70 engineers are to take part in the stoppage, although they will be available for emergency work. Mr Colm Quinlan, industrial officer with Amicus, said pickets would be placed on the company's office at Connolly Station, Dublin, from 11 a.m. He said the company had refused to pay awards recommended by the Labour Court on two occasions, first last autumn and again last month.
"The court recommended that engineers receive a basic pay increase of 15 per cent, retrospective to March 1st, 2002, the minimum increase received by other workers in the company. Unfortunately, Irish Rail has unilaterally sought to put aside this recommendation."
Mr John Keenan, Irish Rail's human resources manager, said the company had, however, sought to implement the court's recommendation that the full 15 per cent increase be pensionable.
Engineers earning above a €50,000 threshold are affected by the dispute. Mr Keenan said he was disappointed by the unions' action but hoped the discussions would resolve the dispute.