Trade union leaders have been told that there is no immediate prospect of talks resuming with the Government on a national economic recovery programme.
It is understood that at a meeting this morning of the national executive of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, its general secretary David Begg said that while he had had contact with Government representatives, “significant stumbling blocks remained”.
Ictu officials are meeting today to begin planning for day of strikes scheduled for March 30th.
This action is likely to affect Government services and private sector companies where the national pay deal, agreed last autumn, has not been implemented or no alternative arrangement has been put in place.
Talks between the Government and trade unions on a national economic recovery programme broke down in last February over the controversial pensions levy.