A Labour Court recommendation to be issued by tomorrow is likely to determine whether a strike at the Brinks Allied cash delivery company goes ahead.
The strike, which threatens to cause increased disruption to ATM services in Dublin and elsewhere in the east, is due to begin tomorrow.
Management at the company and the union involved, SIPTU, attended the Labour Court yesterday and were informed that a recommendation would be issued by tomorrow. In a statement last night, SIPTU security services branch secretary Mr Kevin McMahon said he would prefer if the recommendation was issued before strike notice expired tomorrow morning, as this would allow the union to ballot members.
SIPTU would be keeping the situation under review, he said.
It is understood the strike, over an attempt by the company to introduce new security procedures, remains scheduled to go ahead.
Delivery staff at the company, who say the new procedures would leave them more vulnerable to attack during armed robberies, have been off the road for more than a fortnight. The row has had limited impact to date, with more than 90 per cent of ATMs in the affected areas continuing to operate, according to the Irish Payment Services Organisation.
A strike, however, could cause a further deterioration in cash supplies, as supervisors who are currently carrying out deliveries would be unlikely to pass pickets.
The IPSO, has said that in the event of a strike, banks are confident they will be able to maintain cash supplies from branches and ATMs. Strike notice was served on the company last week after workers voted by 60 to nine in favour of the action.