Ireland’s business lobby today warned trade unions they must face up to the economic realities and give up their pay demands.
Chambers Ireland said public sector pay was on average almost 50 per cent higher than the private sector yet workers’ representatives were continuing to push for more money.
Ian Talbot, chief executive of the employers' group, said the facts cannot be ignored. “Public sector pay restraint is vital for Ireland’s economic recovery and future growth,” he said.
“Union claims that some of their workers are amongst the lowest paid simply do not stack up.”
Mr Talbot quoted CSO figures that showed public sector average hourly rates are 49 per cent higher than the private sector. “These facts cannot be ignored,” he said.
Chambers’ Ireland made the call ahead of the social partnership steering group meeting.
Trade unions and employers have been locking horns on the issue of pay for several months with rising inflation, interest rates and fuel prices driving demands for better pay.
But Chambers’ leaders said the effect of toughening economic conditions should be spread across all sections of the working population.
“Surely true social partnership requires that their counterparts in the public sector should be willing to share even part of this burden, and to place value on the worth of their guaranteed job and pension security in a time of uncertainty.”
PA