Efforts to resolve the Aer Lingus dispute over cost-cutting remain deadlocked tonight.
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion has said the company will not be rowing back from its introduction of a wide range of cost-cutting measures.
The airline is blaming the highly competitive and volatile nature of the aviation market for the changes.
It has already cut employment terms and conditions for new recruits from 1 February.
SIPTU will not enter intensive talks on the airline's extensive cost-cutting agenda until the company rescinds the system for new recruits, which the union describes as a breach of an existing agreement.
SIPTU wants this matter referred to the Labour Court immediately.
However, after a two-hour meeting with the Labour Relations Commission this morning, Mr Mannion said he could see no useful purpose in going to the Labour Court at this point.
Efforts will continue behind the scenes over the coming days to try to break the impasse.
Meanwhile, the result of SIPTU's ballot for industrial action will be known on Monday.
The chances of a resolution to this difficult row being reached by the end of the month seem increasingly remote.
