The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) is to take industrial action next week in a long running dispute over pay and conditions with electrical contractors.
The union had already served strike notice for July 6th on behalf of 10,500 members in the sector. If the strike goes ahead it will have a significant impact across many sectors of the economy, especially construction, manufacturing and energy, it warned.
However, the union agreed to attend the Labour Relations Commission today in a bid to reach a resolution and avert the strike.
But the LRC this afternoon said it was unable to find a basis for talks.
The dispute centres on a pay claim of more than 11 per cent. According to the union, the 10,500 TEEU members have not had a pay increase for more than three years.
"We appreciate the efforts of the LRC today in trying to find a basis for negotiations and we remain available for talks. However in the absence of progress we have no option but to take action in defence of labour standards and skill levels within a critical sector of the economy," said TEEU General Secretary Designate Eamon Devoy.
"It is completely unacceptable for employers to not alone withhold previously agreed pay rises from our members that were supposed to come into force in April 2008 but to seek a 10 per cent pay cut.
"We have met the employers on four occasions and they have refused to engage with us on the terms recommended by the Labour Court. They have now failed to address our concerns in talks with the LRC. They either do not realise what the impact of this dispute will be, or do not care. However if it goes ahead it will affect economic activity across the state on a level not seen for many years."