In a speech the other day to the 24/7 Frontline Alliance, which includes nurses, gardaí and prison officers, Seamus Murphy of the Psychiatric Nurses Association did not mince his words in speaking up for those he represents and those workers, in general, who are required to provide services on a 24/7 basis.

Nurses and doctors want a full meeting of the public service negotiating team for a “detailed debate” on the Government’s demand for premium payment cuts under Croke Park II.

As talks on Croke Park II enter a crucial phase, private sector employers’ group Ibec has called for increments in the public sector to be scrapped and pension entitlements to be scaled back.

Health unions have insisted they will fight any moves to cut their pay or conditions — despite Health Minister James Reilly confirming unspecified Croke Park changes are on his agenda.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says the cuts and new taxes announced in today's budget will have an effect on the Croke Park extension talks.

EMERGENCY service workers will support an escalation of industrial action in the public sector in opposition to wage and service cutbacks.

The head of the 24/7 Frontline Alliance has denied that there is a split between public sector unions on the approach to fighting cutbacks in the sector.

There are reports today that a rift is developing between public sector unions about where the worst of the government cutbacks should hit.

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 Defence Forces union today warned the Government its members would not be gagged over potential pay cuts.

More than 1,000 people turned out in Cork last night to attend the latest regional meeting organised by the new group set up to oppose cutbacks in the public sector.

TRADE unions and associations representing more than 100,000 public servants have reacted angrily to an alleged attempt to gag the military and prevent it from joining with an alliance fighting pay cuts proposed by the McCarthy report.

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