Unions call for renegotiation of latest public service pay agreement
Siptu president Jack O’Connor says things are “considerably better than they were” in terms of the economy than when the Lansdowne Road Agreement was negotiated.
He said there has been dramatic economic growth with 4.5%-5% estimated for this year and a projected 3.5% to 4% for next year.
“Those are phenomenal figures in any context,” Mr O’Connor told Newstalk radio: “I’m saying it would be a good policy approach on the part of the Government to look at an adjustment to the agreement.”
He did concede, however, that the Government is restricted by the “absurd fiscal rules which the country is required to comply with”.
“The fiscal rules are preventing the Government, and governments all over Europe, from investing in their economies to enable them to grow,” he added.
Meanwhile, following a meeting of his union’s executive committee, Eoin Ronayne, general secretary of the Civil Public and Services Union, said his members have noted the outcome of the Luas and Dublin Bus cases “as very welcome and positive developments which need to be reflected within the public service”.
The CPSU executive instructed its officials to work with other public sector unions to secure “a faster reversal of all pay cuts and, in particular, to seek an end to the two lower entry points which were added to the clerical officer scale”.
“While the members are aware that there’s a further €1,000 or more due back to them under the LRA next year, there is growing pressure for a faster restoration of pay and conditions,” said Mr Ronayne.
He added that the lower entry points forced on new recruits are “a scandal which must be ended”.
