Inflation-busting increases vital to combat price pressures

Public sector workers will not tolerate being leapfrogged by other interests

At a meeting to decide Unite’s priorities ahead of talks on a new public sector pay deal, Unite shop stewards were adamant that outstanding issues, including local bargaining claims, must be addressed before starting negotiations on a successor to the Public Service Agreement due to expire at the end of June.

At a time when a third of Unite members in the sector have had to borrow just to make ends meet, delegates were also adamant that any new deal must deliver inflation-busting pay increases as well as addressing ongoing impositions such as the Additional Superannuation Contribution.

Over 800 Unite members in the public sector responded to a recent union survey highlighting the cost-of-living crisis facing workers.

Speaking after the meeting, Unite regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald said: “Over recent weeks, public sector workers have watched as prices increase and those who shout the loudest receive the most support from government.

“Meanwhile, the Department of Public Expenditure has been dragging its feet on outstanding local bargaining claims with just over two months to go until the current deal expires.

“Our shop stewards have been speaking to Unite members across Ireland and their message is very clear: all outstanding local bargaining claims must be addressed before talks on any new deal. This will pave the way for talks on a new agreement which must deliver inflation-busting pay increases for workers.

“Should it not be possible to agree a new deal, Unite will continue to robustly defend our members’ interests, with none of the constraints involved in an agreement.”