LAST UPDATE | 29 Aug 2022

PUBLIC SECTOR PAY talks between unions and the Government at the Workplace Relations Commission are resuming today, following a two month hiatus.

The talks, which were last held in June, ended without an agreement being reached between the Government and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

After talks had previously ended, the difference between the two sides was described as “significant”, with ICTU saying that they were unsure if the gap could be bridged.

However, sources close to the talks have said that the Government is preparing to add an additional 1% onto their previous offer of 5% from earlier in the summer.

This would be a 6% pay rise, alongside additional measures to help tackle the cost of living.

Last week, ICTU called on the Government to “significantly improve” their pay offer before talks began.

ICTU President Kevin Callinan, who leads the unions negotiating team, said that when talks were previously ongoing, the Government had not accounted for the rising cost-of-living.

He added that the rising inflation, which is currently running at 9.1%, would make it difficult for unions to bring a pay deal that doesn’t address cost-of-living to members.

However, Callinan did say that ICTU is prepared to be flexible in today’s negotiations.

“Minister McGrath has indicated that the Government will make an improved offer on Monday, and we look forward to finding out if it will be enough to move towards an outcome that we can credibly put to workers in ballots,” Callinan added.

While talks are set to resume at the WRC today, unions are preparing to ballot their members for industrial action if a deal is not reached.

Additional reporting by Niall O’Connor