Tesco has denied reports that it is to attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission today.

Management said that they are still waiting for a date to sit down with staff representatives at the WRC.

The company is trying to avoid industrial action, sparked by a decision to reduce the pay of long-serving staff to keep them in line with the rest of its workers.

Yesterday, the company has claimed that 700 have accepted a voluntary redundancy package.

“Feedback from our colleagues was that the voluntary redundancy offer was generous and fair,” the company stated. “Over 70% of our pre-1996 colleagues have now accepted voluntary redundancy.

“We continue to focus on implementing this change for our remaining pre-1996 colleagues which takes effect from 16 May and will continue to engage colleagues on this issue in advance of this date.”