Government bids to get wage talks back on track

THE GOVERNMENT last night began exploratory talks with ICTU leader David Begg in a bid to pave the way for all sides to return to social partnership negotiations.

SIPTU have boycotted the beginning of the next phase of talks on the national wage deal in protest at recent comments by Tánaiste Mary Harney that her party’s participation in Government depended on the successful break up of Aer Rianta and CIÉ.

The country’s largest craft union the TEEU has also pulled out of the Sustaining Progress talks.

However, in a speech this week SIPTU president Jack O’Connor indicated that his union’s participation in talks was not just dependent on the CIE/Aer Rianta issue but also required substantial assurances from the Government that social partnership could actually deliver improved employment rates and standards.

But following last night’s meeting in Government buildings between Taoiseach’s representative Dermot McCarthy and Mr Begg, a Government source said it had been made clear by the union side that confidence in the social partnership process was the major stumbling block.

“In the course of these exploratory discussions the union side made it clear that the key issue is confidence in the social partnership process and in particular its capacity to maintain employment rates and standards across the economy,” the source said.

Although no firm conclusions were reached last night, the move is likely to be seen as a first attempt to pave the way for SIPTU and the TEEU to reenter talks.

It is understood that both sides have agreed to have another informal meeting following a period of reflection while informal contacts between the Government and ICTU will also continue.