Industrial action looms for public sector workers if pay disputes aren't resolved by the end of the month.
Health, local authorities, education and semi-state sector workers are set to begin balloting for industrial action on August 29th if new pay talks with the Government fail.
Previous talks broke down between union negotiators and the Government in June - SIPTU announced the ballot ahead of the Workplace Relations Commission's invite to fresh talks.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary John King says a compromise is needed.
"When we launched the veeries of the agreement inflation was at 5.6%.
"When we went into the WRC on the 17th of June, it was at about 7.5%.
"As I talk to you today, inflation is north of 9%. The government side are in danger of letting this get away from them
"We want an acceptable compromise, and the sooner we can get into the WRC and have those thanks the better we believe it will be for everybody."
