SIPTU has indicated it is likely to go ahead with its threat to ballot members on industrial action.

The union had warned it would step up its efforts to get pay rises for public sector workers, if the Government didn’t set a timeline for talks by today.

ICTU, the union which represents both the private and public sector, had suggested the Government be given an extra two weeks to decide on discussions.

SIPTU’s executive committee is meeting later to make a final call – but President Jack O’Connor thinks it’s unlikely they’ll change their mind: “I think there will be due consideration of that today and I think that we will arrive at a conclusion that endorses the decision to ballot but respects the request.”