A warning that social partnership could be in its final stages and a return to "1970s-type engagement" on the cards was issued yesterday by the general secretary of SIPTU, Mr Joe O'Flynn.
The union was ready to protect its members' interests in whatever environment it found itself, he told delegates at the national conference in Galway.
Mr O'Flynn said that the trade union movement had played a significant role in helping to reverse the economic fortunes of the State in the course of the past 15 years of social partnership.
Unions had been welcomed as a serious social partner, which were contributing to the economic success and well-being of the nation.
"It would appear now from signals from some of those ultra-conservatives, both political and business, that we could be in the final chapters of partnership as we have come to know and experience it," he said.
"We all know that partnership in any relationship has to be and is built on trust and mutual understanding.
"It is evident from the actions of one side at least that that trust and mutual understanding are dissipating rapidly."
Mr O'Flynn said he would not be overly concerned, however.
"While a return to the 1970s and 1980s type of engagement on the industrial front appears to be on the cards, SIPTU is both willing and able to protect and fight in respect of our members' interests.
"It is also willing to defend the pay and conditions which we have built up on behalf of our members over the years," he declared.
The union had the necessary finances to defend its members against any employer, no matter how big or how small, in this country.
Referring to the 90th anniversary of the 1913 lockout, which has been commemorated at the SIPTU conference this week, Mr O'Flynn said no William Martin Murphy figure would "starve our members and their families out of decent jobs, pay and conditions".
"Our contingency fund is the clearest tangible signal I can give you, and indeed employers who are of that mind, that we are determined to protect our members' interests in whatever environment, partnership or otherwise, which we find ourselves in in the near future," he said.
"Indeed, it is SIPTU's vision that we will not simply defend and protect, but that we will enhance the living standards of our members and their families by continuing to organise workers presently in trade union membership and those who do not enjoy the benefit of being part of the great movement that is SIPTU and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions."
Labour Party election candidates are to be asked to sign up to a "charter of values" before securing financial support from SIPTU, an internal commission set up by the union has recommended.
In a report released to delegates at the union's biennial conference in Galway, the commission says SIPTU should retain its affiliation to the Labour Party and seek to maximise its role and influence within the party.
It also recommends that the union continue to support members who stand for the party in elections, but only if they subscribe to a charter of values, which has yet to be drawn up.
In its report, the commission says there was widespread support at regional meetings for maintaining the union's political dimension.