Ireland’s main Public Service union says there is “currently no basis” for negotiation with the Government on a new pay deal for the 340,000 staff employed by the State.
Secretary General of Fórsa, Kevin Callinan (pictured) said the absence of a new agreement would create a “very difficult industrial relations environment”.
Mr Callinan urged the union to begin the formulation of new pay claims to be submitted to Public Service employers in the months ahead. The current pay deal expires at the end of the year.
Addressing a meeting of the union’s branch representatives, Mr Callinan expressed disappointment at the lack of progress made in recent months with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a potential new accord despite discussions with the Minister, Michael McGrath in July.
He said a scheduled meeting with the Department had been postponed “because officials have yet to consult with the Minister to establish the basis for any negotiations”.
“We’re in an uncertain period, where stability and certainty are at a higher premium than usual, and that is what a comprehensive national agreement would be designed to deliver,” Mr Callinan said.
“However, as it stands, it is not even clear if we will be entering into negotiations. That means there is now a grave risk that we will find ourselves, perhaps unintentionally, without an agreement at the end of the year,” he said.
Mr Callinan said the absence of a successor agreement “would mean that there is nothing in place to guarantee industrial peace, nor any direct mechanism to resolve sectoral disputes”.
“It would make for a very difficult industrial relations environment. Let’s be clear, it will be the Government’s responsibility if that happens,” he said.
Dublin, 24 October 2020
