Ahern tells unions to forget 10% increase

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern fired a warning shot in advance of social partnership talks yesterday, warning it would be “reckless” of trade unions to seek a 10% pay increase.

Mr Ahern met with union leaders last week in a bid to finalise the structure the talks will take. Their aim will be to agree a successor to Sustaining Progress, the current national wage agreement.

But in an interview on RTÉ Radio yesterday, he once again implied the social partners should keep their expectations in check. This follows similar warnings by Finance Minister Brian Cowen.