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.