ASTI calls for new pay deal to make up for inflation

ONE of the country’s largest public service unions has called for the renegotiation of the national pay agreement to make up for losses to rising inflation.

The Towards 2016 social partnership deal agreed last year guarantees public servants a 10% pay increase over 27 months, equivalent to 4.4% a year.

But Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) president Michael Freeley said it is time for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) to negotiate a new deal as the proposed increases are well below the rate of inflation.