Frontline Alliance: Inevitable strikes over pay cuts

LEADERS of trade unions representing frontline workers in the public service have warned that industrial action is inevitable if the Government insists on implementing further wage cuts on their members.

The 24/7 Frontline Alliance yesterday accused the Government of failing to consider alternatives to a further round of pay reductions for public sector workers in the forthcoming budget. The alliance consists of six trade unions representing nurses, gardaí, firefighters and prison officers.

More than 5,000 members attended regional meetings around the country over the past month in protest at recommendations in the Bord Snip Nua Report to axe 4,000 hospital beds and close half of all Garda stations.