Talks are continuing on a pay deal for laboratory attendants in the Department of Agriculture’s network of regional veterinary labs (RVLs).

The Irish Farmers Journal has learned that talks involving the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and IMPACT trade union continued this week.

It is understood that no agreement has been reached on a pay deal.

Veterinary lab attendants are among the lowest-paid members of staff in the Department of Agriculture and carry out work including the carving up and disposal of carcases presented at labs for inspection. On top of a basic salary, these lab attendants receive a small additional pay for carrying out such work.

Andy Pike from IMPACT confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday that no agreement has been reached, however, he remains confident that one will be.

Pike said that talks between all parties were constructive and that they will continue. Pike rejected any notion that talks had broken down.

Separately, it is understood that staff from the RVLs met with senior figures from within the Department this week to express their concerns that a deal has not been reached.

Tensions are escalating, with some staff in the Athlone lab threatening to block entry to the building as and from this Friday should a pay deal not be reached.

Such a move would result in as many as a dozen counties being without the services of an RVL, with the Backweston lab currently not accepting ruminant (cattle, sheep) carcases.

The Department said it has entered into “a process of conciliation and arbitration regarding the role and pay of Department lab attendants ... on 10 May”.

A spokesman for the Department said “it was not possible to reach agreement during the conciliation stage” and that “the Department and IMPACT have agreed to continue to engage on this matter”.

The spokesman added that “no notice of industrial action has been served by IMPACT”.

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