The craft trade unions at Aer Lingus will wait until next week to decide on what industrial action to take against the airline.

MARCHING past the Taoiseach’s office, SIPTU’s construction branch chanted a message not often heard in Government buildings.

Tax shelters that favour the wealthy must be abolished in this week’s budget, Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said at the weekend.

Efforts to involve the trade union movement in the anti-bin charges protest received a setback when Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg came out strongly against the campaign.

FINANCE MINISTER Charlie McCreevy will warn unions this morning that he wants a return for his money before paying out any more benchmarking wage rises.

AIRPORT unions last night threatened industrial action if Transport Minister Seamus Brennan proceeds with his plans to break up Aer Rianta.

A MAJOR protest march and work stoppage designed to show public support for better cancer facilities in the south-east yesterday prompted almost 2,000 people to take to the streets in Waterford city.

ONE of the country’s main union leaders yesterday gave his full backing to the proposed new pay deal that promises a 7% increase to private sector workers.

A BAD budget could fatally damage the prospects of reaching a new national wage deal, Irish Congress of Trade Unions president, Joe O’Toole, said last night.