The Irish Government’s offer to Public Servants of a five per cent pay increase over two years is not credible, and an improved offer is needed to continue talks, public sector unions have told the mediating Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Public Services Committee (PSC) said it backed the union negotiators’ view that the Government’s recent pay offer could not credibly be put to a ballot while low and middle-income workers were struggling with soaring prices.
Under the current agreement, Building Momentum, public sector workers received a one per cent pay increase last year, with a further one per cent due this October.
Unions triggered a review clause contained within the agreement almost four months ago due to higher-than-expected inflation in 2021 and 2022.
The Government then offered an additional increase of just 2.5 per cent for the 2021-2022 period of the current agreement, which is now under review with the assistance of the WRC.
In a letter addressed to Director General of the WRC, Liam Kelly, Chair of the PSC, Kevin Callinan also said its officers could consider talking about a pay agreement in 2023 – before the current pay terms of Building Momentum had been reviewed and improved.
“In common with workers across the economy, Public Servants are bearing the full brunt of large and sustained increases in the cost of home heating, fuel, food, housing, childcare, and many other essentials,” Mr Callinan (pictured) said.
However, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath insisted the Government’s proposal was a credible one, working out to a total increase of seven per cent across two years.
Dublin, 3 July 2022
