Health and housing on union pay-talks agenda

THE country’s biggest union will demand a major affordable housing package for young people when new pay talks open shortly.

SIPTU general-secretary John McDonnell said affordable housing and proper health benefits will be among the union’s main demands, along with pay rises above the inflation rate.

“What the ordinary worker wants is to be able to afford a house at a reasonable rate and cope with the escalating health costs,” he said.