ICTU raises the stakes for new pay deal

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) will today ask member unions not to make a decision on entering negotiations on a new national agreement until the Government provides clarification on provisions to protect employment rights.

The move comes after SIPTU, by far the largest union in ICTU, yesterday voted to defer its entry into talks until the Government provides specific commitments about legislative protection for terms and conditions of workers.

Following a meeting of ICTU’s executive last night a spokesman confirmed delegates at today’s conference would also be asked to defer entering talks.