Emergency call operators who respond to 999 calls are to hold a second 12-hour strike tomorrow in a dispute about pay and union recognition.
However, BT Ireland and Conduit Global who run the service have said contingency arrangements have been put in place to ensure there is no disruption to service and all emergency calls are handled as usual.
The staff at the Emergency Call Answering Service who belong to the Communications Workers Union want a basic pay increase in line with the living wage of €11.50 per hour, and the right to be represented by their union in negotiations.
The State contract for operating ECAS was awarded to BT Ireland, who in turn outsourced it to Conduit Global.
Both companies have defended the pay rates for staff and their decision not to negotiate with unions.
They have also declined an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission to talks with the CWU, on the basis that they would prefer to negotiate with their employees directly.
The companies say that since the dispute arose they have addressed a number of issues raised by staff, including on-call arrangements and restrictions on time away from screens for bathroom breaks.
They have also set up an employee forum, and have ceased carrying out punitive suspensions.
They say that while the minimum basic rate of pay for staff is €11.00, when bonuses and allowances are factored in no employee is earning less than the Living Wage.
The CWU held the first 12 hour stoppage in the dispute on 25 February - with around 15 of the 60 operators joining the picket line.
This Friday, CWU members will also commence a month long work to rule, whereby staff will withdraw from extra duties outside their employment contract.
CWU General Secretary Steve Fitzpatrick accused BT Ireland and Conduit Global of "blatant corporate greed".
He noted that last year BT made a profit of €44 million in Ireland - up 42% on the previous year.
He added that Conduit Global had made Irish profits of over €6 million.
He said it was doubly galling that companies enjoying the financial benefits of delivering a State-awarded contract should display such contempt for the industrial relations machinery of the State by declining an invitation to the Workplace Relations Commission.
BT Ireland described the industrial action as highly irresponsible, unnecessary and unjustified.
It has also accused the union of disseminating inaccurate information and of failing to confirm the number of CWU members in ECAS.
Conduit Global said it had consulted repeatedly with employees on their concerns, including on pay, and significant progress had been made.
It said no operator was on less than the living wage, and as well as the 10% pay increase announced in November 2015 a further on-call payment has been agreed directly with staff in the last week.
It accused the CWU of placing its own interests over critical public services.
It also said the majority of 999 employees had committed to direct engagement with management.
