TALKS aimed at preventing a strike of 1,000 Dunnes Stores workers next week will resume this afternoon after ending last night with no sign of a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Dunnes Stores shops seemed to be preparing for the worst with perishable goods, some with sell by dates for the end of next month, on sale at half price.
The meeting between union and management representatives ended shortly after 9 p.m. The Mandate general secretary, Mr Owen Nulty, said the talks will resume this afternoon. Asked whether they had made any progress Mr Nulty said: "There's always progress made but we'd hoped to be able to make more progress.
"Everyone is realising the situation is difficult. The talks have been ongoing and very lengthy and we just have to keep at it.
A company spokesman said each of the 73 stores has implemented a contingency plan in the event that it will not be opening on Monday morning.
Dunnes Stores director, Mr Andrew Street, said he was "optimistic, but preparing for the worst. Time is running out and so my optimism is beginning to wane a little."
Tomorrow around 120 shop stewards from the three unions will meet. This marks the deadline for negotiations and it is understood they will meet early because of the All Ireland match.
Yesterday was the fourth day of talks between five union representatives and four company members, including Mr Street who is director of information systems.
The latest dispute is a legacy of last year's three week strike resolved by a Labour Court recommendation on pay and conditions.
The court recommended the payment of a 3 per cent pay rise, backdated to September, and the creation of 200 full time jobs, on a Monday to Saturday basis.
A union spokesman said only 30 full time jobs had been created on a Monday to Saturday roster. Around 150 jobs had been created on a seven day basis, including Sunday, and the company had lost 120 full time employees in the same period.
On Tuesday the union published its proposals for dealing with disputes. "The company wants to keep disputes internal," the union spokesman said.
The Mandate general secretary, Mr Owen Nulty, said the unions had offered to co operate with an information technology programme last year in return for the 3 per cent pay deal. But the company turned down the offer.
