Union leader backs 7% pay rise

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.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said that he believed the proposed terms of the new 18-month partnership deal were satisfactory. However, he warned that more work was needed over the next fortnight before Congress could decide on whether or not to recommend the social agenda of the proposed deal.

"I am pleased with the elements of the social agenda that proposes to raise the minimum wage by 10%," Mr Begg added.