SCIENTIFIC and technical staff at the National Standards Authority (NSAI) are to stop work and picket the Department of Enterprise and Employment this morning.
They are protesting against proposals to establish the authority as a separate entity from Forfas, the umbrella organisation for State training, job creation and research bodies.
The staff, members of MSF are responsible for setting and enforcing professional and technical standards across Irish industry.
The Department and Forfas believe it is necessary to separate the NSAI from other State agencies so that its independence when carrying out tests and audits is not compromised.
The MSF branch secretary Mr Fergal O'Byrne, described the proposals yesterday as an attack on the technical services of the State which would affect inspection and certification procedures.