Judge Kevin Foley said that €500 payment be made to the workers as a gesture of goodwill in recognition for their efforts and should be accepted in full and final settlement of the dispute.

The WRC said it considered ordering Carlow County Council to reinstate Jimmy Murphy as he appeared to be fit and healthy, but noted he had sought compensation as redress.

On Wednesday afternoon, staff were advised that production would cease to allow all staff to attend a meeting on Thursday morning for an announcement.

Siptu and Fórsa agreed pay rises of 12 per cent with Aer Lingus in recent years, but the deals include a clause where they can go back to the airline if another group of workers secures a better deal

The survey suggests that 95% of early years educators can only make ends meet with ‘difficulty’ or ‘great difficulty’.

Siptu is hoping to meet with management and staff to discuss restructuring plans which could result in a number of job losses.

A survey carried out by Siptu found just under 80 per cent of public transport workers said the problem has got worse in the last 12 months

SIPTU said it will be releasing more details on the detail after it has spoken to its members

The first walkout in the dispute over pay will take place on Thursday February 1.

Public sector workers are taking part in walk-outs in a dispute over a pay award.

Siptu is urgently seeking a meeting with Pfizer officials to discuss the future of 100 jobs at the company's manufacturing plant in Co Kildare

A ballot for industrial action at the ICTU health group of unions took place after Workplace Relations Commission talks collapsed in July