THE talks between Dunnes Stores management and unions aimed at ending the strike, which is now in its fifth day, were adjourned early this morning without any agreement being reached.

The talks are to resume this weekend and Mr Owen Nulty, General Secretary of one of the unions, Mandate, said that he believed there was now a clear understanding on both sides of their respective positions.

He would not, however, be drawn on whether this indicated an early resolution of the dispute.

The strike, which started on Monday, is understood to be costing Dunnes Stores £2 million a day in lost turnover. Suppliers and traders affected by the strike are estimated to be losing £1 million a day.

Yesterday, Donegal's Senator Sean Maloney, of Labour, condemned what he called Dunnes Stores disregard for its workforce, traditional suppliers and the public. Sen Maloney's intervention followed the decision by Gaeltex (Letterkenny), a clothing manufacturer that relies on Dunnes Stores for most of its business, to place its workers on protective notice.

"Gaeltex may be one of the first companies forced to take this action but they will not be the last," said Sen Maloney. "If Dunnes wish to retain any respect from the community at large, they should resolve this dispute now."

Yesterday's talks were again held at the offices of accountants Oliver Freaney, the auditors to Dunnes Stores. The unions considered a document presented by the Dunnes Stores management on Tuesday.

Union sources said last night there was still a gap of trust between the sides. The unions believed the strike could have been averted but for a change of position by the Dunnes Stores management last weekend.

A spokesman for the management said yesterday there was no shortage of goodwill on its part to find a solution to the problem.