The largest public service union in the State today announced its members had overwhelmingly endorsed the new social partnership deal, Towards 2016.
Impact's general secretary, Peter McLoone, who is also president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), was a staunch supporter of the deal, which includes pay rises of 10 to 10.5 per cent over 27 months.
The deal also contains commitments to enhance labour protections through legislation amid concerns about worker displacement and a "race to the bottom" in pay and conditions caused by cheaper immigrant labour.
" Towards 2016is among the best partnership deals negotiated in terms of better living standards and stronger workplace rights. We will now be working to make sure that Government and employers stick to their side of the bargain over the coming months and years," Mr McLoone said.
Members voted to accept the deal by a margin of 80 per cent to 20 per cent, and their acceptance will be registered when unions vote on the deal at Ictu's special delegate conference on September 5th.
The vote follows a strong endorsement by the 10,000-strong Public Service Executive Union yesterday.
There has been considerable opposition to Towards 2016in both the private and the public sector, however.
Opponents say rising inflation will effectively wipe out the pay rises and that the absence of a local bargaining clause prevents workers in highly profitable companies getting a share of the rewards.
Opponents in the public sector say the deal means that workers can only secure their increases in exchange for substantial changes in terms and conditions.
The State's largest union, Siptu, is due to announce the results of its ballot of members next week.