Unions representing workers at the Avonmore Waterford Group will decide today whether to recommend a company rationalisation plan to their members. The plan is believed to include an offer of six weeks pay for every year of service. Sources close to the company say an improved offer is unlikely.

The unions are holding a meeting in Portlaoise, which is likely to be the last one before a final announcement is made.

Meanwhile, the management is believed to be proposing up to 1,000 redundancies in Ireland. However a spokesman would not comment on this last night. The report was "pure speculation" and the company would not be making any official announcement until the end of the month.

The negotiations have been lengthy, with both unions and management slow to speculate on how many will be required. However, sources suggest about 1,000 will finally be agreed.

The redundancies are likely to be split evenly between the company's operations in Waterford and Kilkenny. Other jobs are expected to go in overseas operations, particularly in the group's British operations.

The group are hoping all redundancies will be voluntary.