The issue of pension protection for workers at SR Technics could be a deal-breaker in talks on a national recovery plan, according to the ICTU.
Speaking after a meeting of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Executive Council, David Begg confirmed that the union intends to engage in further partnership negotiations with the Government.
However, he warned that unions would have to see measures to protect workers whose companies went into voluntary liquidation, and whose pension funds were insolvent.
He said congress could not accept a deal which would give pension protection to some workers and not to others, particularly when the insolvency was out of their control.
The congress' decision follows a letter from the Taoiseach outlining areas where the Government felt it could make progress on issues, including employment protection, pensions, repossessions and public sector reform.
Mr Begg raised concerns about how employment protection measures would be funded.
The Taoiseach's letter refers to the reallocation of funds from social welfare to boost the pay of workers on reduced hours to keep them in employment.
Mr Begg suggested that the initiative might need to be 'pump-primed', possibly by taking funds from the capital budget.
He said the talks should not extend beyond the next week.
