Talks on new pay deal resume at Govt Buildings

The social partners are due to meet at Government Buildings again today for more talks on a new national pay deal.

The negotiations began last week with a major gap between the stances being taken by employers and unions.

Employers, with the backing of the Government, are demanding pay restraint to protect their competitiveness at a time of declining economic fortunes.

The unions, however, are insisting that their members should get pay rises above the rate of inflation.

They have accused the employers of hypocrisy for putting the squeeze on workers while awarding massive bonuses to senior executives every year.

Meanwhile, the Mandate trade union has announced its intention to return to the discussions after pulling out two years ago.

The union represents more than 44,000 bar and retail workers across the country.