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Better Pay Offer On the Cards For Public Sector In A Bid To Avoid Strikes

File image: Rolling News

Unions have rejected a pay increase of 5%,

Public sector pay talks are resuming today after unions and government representatives failed to reach a deal during the summer.

Unions rejected a 5% wage hike, saying it doesn't adequately take account of the cost-of-living crisis. 

The improved pay offer is likely to be made  in a bid to avoid a series of threatened strikes over the rising cost of living.

Sources briefed on the issue said that the new offer would be no more than an additional 1% on top of the existing 5% offer between now and the end of next year which is already on the table since early summer.

With key budget meetings between officials already under way, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath are insisting that the Government sticks to previously agreed budget limits which will mean difficult trade-offs between spending priorities.

Public sector workers are due to get an increase of 1% in October under the existing pay deal which runs out this year.

Unions representing about 350,000 workers, including teachers, nurses and civil servants, said the Government’s offer of 5% in the next deal was insufficient to meet the rising costs faced by their members.

Inflation is running at more than 9%, according to the latest estimates.

Some unions, including those representing teachers and nurses, have already said they will ballot on strike action unless the Government produces a satisfactory pay offer.

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