Coalition may seek deal to avoid strikes in public pay talks

The Government is considering tabling proposals aimed at avoiding strikes and industrial disputes across the public service in exchange for pay restoration in the current pay talks.

The move would be designed to cut down on days lost through industrial action if ministers attempt to implement further changes in the years ahead.

Sources said that while individual ministers might have ideas of changes they would like to see in their sectors, specific measures – such as junior certificate reform – were unlikely to be tabled in exchange for pay restoration.

Rather, a strengthened arbitration process would be agreed to deal with disputes without having to resort to industrial action.

Sources said the Government wants a reaffirmation by unions of commitments to deal with disputes through binding arbitration, as provided for under the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements.

The Government would see such a reaffirmation as a “quid pro quo” for pay restoration.

There have been concerns at Government about a recent slippage in this area, with sources pointing to the case of the Tyndall Facility at University College Cork, where there is an ongoing dispute about pay.

It is understood the Coalition is reluctant to tie specific reform measures to the pay talks because priorities and plans could change under different ministers.

Specific measures

If specific measures were included as part of the talks, unions could argue they agreed different reforms in previous negotiations, it is claimed.

Changes would be expected to be implemented if they are Government policy, said a source.

While it was pointed out that no proposals had been tabled to unions since the talks were still at an early stage, another source said “strengthened measures” for industrial relations were being discussed.

However, it is understood such a move was flagged with unions during an opening session of the talks last week.

The talks resumed on Thursday, with a Government briefing for unions on spending constraints under EU rules.

It is understood that officials also restated the Government’s undertaking in its recent spring statement that up to €1.5 billion would be available to reduce tax and improve services next year with a 50:50 split between the two priorities.

Further talks are expected next Tuesday when the focus is expected to shift to the text of any deal to extend the Haddington Road agreement.

The issue of precise amounts of money on offer is only likely to emerge after talks on the text of any deal are concluded.