Government officials were yesterday finalising a proposed structure for talks on a new national partnership deal.
The proposals are expected to be issued to union and employer representatives on Monday, and should pave the way for talks to begin on a successor to Sustaining Progress.
Unions have delayed a decision to enter talks because of concerns about exploitation of workers and the displacement of jobs. They want those issues addressed separately at the outset of any talks on a new agreement.
Discussions on how this requirement can be met have been taking place between Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) representatives and Government officials over the past two days.
Once a satisfactory structure for talks is agreed, Siptu is expected to reconvene a special delegate conference to decide whether the union should continue to support social partnership.
As the State's biggest union, Siptu's stance is likely to be critical in determining whether the union movement as a whole decides to enter formal negotiations. The Siptu conference is unlikely to take place until near the end of the month, which means the partnership talks cannot begin until late January or early February.
Negotiations on a new three-year agreement, covering national pay rates and other issues, had been due to begin in mid-November.
The talks were delayed because of the issues arising from the dispute at Irish Ferries, which is replacing most of its seafarers with cheaper migrant labour. The dispute was settled last month but unions say a range of measures are needed to prevent a "race to the bottom" developing in other sectors of the economy.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who met Ictu leaders on Wednesday, has said he shares the unions' concerns.
In a letter to Ictu president Peter McLoone last October, Mr Ahern said he believed the partnership process could deliver a "meaningful package" in the area of enhanced employment standards. He promised Government engagement on issues ranging from the regulation of employment agencies to the resourcing of the labour inspectorate.
