Public sector pay talks are set to resume next month but the threat of industrial action ballots remains as unions step up efforts to put pressure on the Government to make an improved pay offer.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has issued invitations to both sides to return to the discussions that stalled in June.
The invitations were sent out on the same day negotiators from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) agreed to mount a coordinated campaign on public service pay including possible industrial action ballots.
Both sides have indicated that they will return to talks due to take place in mid-August.
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However, the unions have made it clear they expect an improved pay offer from the Government and preparations for possible industrial action ballots to take place as early as next month are continuing.
A Government offer of a combined 5 per cent over two years on top of the 2 per cent in the existing deal was rejected by unions in June as “not credible”.
Ictu’s Public Services Committee (PSC) chairman Kevin Callinan said the unions received the WRC invite on Wednesday morning.
“We will of course respond positively to any invitation it will be a very short meeting unless there is significant movement [from the Government side].
“It takes two sides to tango,” he said.
During an interview on RTÉ Radio Mr Callinan was asked if unions were prepared to go on strike this winter. “We are prepared to do whatever it takes in a unified campaign,” he replied.
Earlier this week, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the Government was willing to return to talks with public service unions but there was “a need for flexibility on both sides”.
He signaled a willingness on the Government’s part to improve the offer that had been made while saying flexibility was required from the union side as well.
[ Forsa says there must be ‘movement’ from Government to resume public pay talksOpens in new window ]
A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform spokesman did not respond directly when asked if the Government is preparing an improved offer in advance of the talks.
“The Government welcomes and accepts the invitation of the WRC to resume talks on public service pay arrangements at a date to be agreed next month,” he said.
“As Minister Michael McGrath has said from the outset, the aim of the Government is to reach agreement on terms that are fair to public servants and to taxpayers generally. Achieving this will require goodwill and a degree of flexibility on both sides.”
Fórsa, which represents 82,000 mostly public sector workers, endorsed Ictu’s plan for a coordinated cost-of-living campaign on Wednesday.
Mr Callinan, who is also Fórsa’s general secretary, said that unions were united in their resolution to achieve a credible public service pay offer for 2021 and 2022.
“Inflation has risen from 5.6 per cent to over 9 per cent in the four months since we triggered the review clause of the current public service pay deal, Building Momentum,” he said. “Workers across the economy, are bearing the full brunt of large and sustained increases in the cost of home heating, fuel, food, housing, childcare, and many other essentials.”
