Workers wages ‘under attack’

SIPTU, which represents 67,000 public sector workers, claimed the benchmarking report confirmed “a trend in the Irish economy where a relentless war has been waged on workers’ wages and conditions”.

“The real significance of the benchmarking body report is not that the great majority of ordinary public service workers will receive no increase, but that this trend will continue into the future,” SIPTU vice-president Brendan Hayes said.

“Attacks on pay and conditions will continue in the private sector and ultimately apply to public service pensions and other conditions of employment.”