Significant progress in talks between Government and unions on pay bill

There have been significant breakthroughs in the Government’s bid to secure reductions in its pay bill by agreement with a number of trade unions.

Last night the Government revised key elements of its original proposals regarding pay cuts and freezing increments for higher earners – moves which were welcomed by a number of unions including the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants, which had rejected the Croke Park II proposals last month.

Separately, a deal in principle was also reached with organisations representing gardaí who had walked out of the process before the Croke Park II proposals were finalised. The new agreement in principle is understood to be aimed at generating savings of between €16 million and €17 million this year.

Some highly-placed sources said the measures could include new overtime rates for certain activities.

Agreement in principle was also reached with the association representing medical laboratory scientists and with a number of the unions representing craft workers in the public service.

Alternative proposals
Talks were continuing last night between Government and unions in the health sector regarding alternative proposals put forward to generate savings in a way that would avoid cuts in earnings or the introduction of a longer working week. These included proposals for nurses to take over some of the roles currently carried out by non-consultant hospital doctors.

Talks were also continuing with the Civil Public and Services Union, which represents lower-paid civil servants, on its difficulties with the Croke Park proposals, including changes to flexitime arrangements.

Union negotiators were expected to bring any agreements reached in principle at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) back to their respective executives.

Unions which rejected the original Croke Park II proposals are expected to have to ballot members again on the revised proposals.

At the talks yesterday the Government put forward revised proposals for staff earning between €65,000 and €100,000 who would face pay cuts of at least 5.5 per cent under the Croke Park II document.

The Government also proposed changes to its original plan to freeze increments.

Separately, nearly 80,000 Bus Éireann passengers are facing disruption today as a strike involving members of the National Bus and Rail Union enters its second day.

The Government suggested yesterday that the LRC could get involved in seeking a resolution to the dispute over the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation aimed at saving €5 million at the loss-making State-owned company.

However, both union and management said last night there had been no third-party intervention.