MR Jimmy Somers, vice president of SIPTU, yesterday rejected out of hand any suggestion that the PAYE sector should have to pay the £50 million plus in fines imposed in Brussels for the "wrongdoing" of the beef sector.
The issue could place a question mark over a future national pay agreement, he said.
Mr Somers said the national executive council of SIPTU had expressed "outrage at the suggestion that the PAYE sector should foot the bill for fraudsters".
He said letters had been sent today to the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and the Ministers for Agriculture, Finance, and Enterprise and Employment, detailing the union's abhorrence of the suggestion made last week that the fine be ultimately paid by the PAYE sector.
"Despite the fact that these irregularities came to light a number of years ago, which led to the establishment of the beef tribunal to inquire into allegations regarding illegal activities, no attempt has been made to ensure that those who were guilty and who benefited from perpetrating these, frauds would pay these fines, said Mr Somers.
He said no other issue in recent years had created so much indignation in the sector than the suggestion that workers would have to pay the fines for the beef industry.
"The very idea that the PAYE sector, which is already carrying an inequitable share of the tax burden, should pay for this fraudulent behaviour, while farmers and big business avoid their responsibilities, is totally rejected," be said.
Mr Somers added that in recent weeks workers had received their new tax allowances for the coming year and realised they would be no better off than last year, despite all the posturing and promises.
"Unless it can be clearly shown that there is a mechanism available for payment of these fines other than by again digging into the pockets of the PAYE sector, there will have to be a major question mark about any talks that may take place on a further national pay deal being concluded satisfactorily," he said.
Mr John Donnelly, of the Irish Farmers Association, said Irish organisation had not changed - position since last week when had said it committed no so it would pay no fine.
"We will resist any attempt by the Department to place a fine or levy on the farming community. We did not commit any crimes so we do not intend to be punished for the behaviour of others," he said.
Mr Donnelly added that the Department and the Minister, who had been very vocal in the Dail, should pursue those he blamed for the fines, not farmers who did not benefit in any way from the irregularities.