A body set up in an effort to maintain industrial peace in Ireland has called for both sides in the dispute at the ADM chemical plant in Co Cork to resume discussions.
The National Implementation Body, which met with the protagonists last month, said such discussions could take place at local level or under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission.
If these efforts failed, it said, the dispute should be referred jointly to the Labour Court.
170 workers have been locked out of the ADM plant in Ringaskiddy since early March over their refusal to accept new working arrangements.