Talks between management at Eircom and trade unions aimed at averting industrial action are expected to resume at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) today.
Discussions were adjourned last night after more than six hours of talks.
The dispute centres on a failure on the part of Eircom to pay a 2 per cent pay increase due in May under the terms of the national agreement, Towards 2016. The company has sought to link payment of the increase to talks on work practice changes at the company.
Unions have said that they will not enter into talks on the work practice reforms until the money is paid. They contend that management is not permitted to set preconditions for the wage rise.
They have also maintained that the company only put forward its proposals for change after the date for the payment of the money.
However, Eircom has argued that it is entitled to seek the work practice changes under the terms of the national agreement.
Unions at the firm have served a seven-day notice of industrial action that is due to expire on Thursday. They have declined to specify the nature of the industrial action that may take place if the talks at the LRC are not successful.