Back to the trenches at ‘Groundhog week’ pay talks

“IT’S like groundhog week,” was the quip of one informed source as the social partners trudged into Government Buildings yet again.

As each side gave their prediction of a tough week of talks ahead, the only thing which united employer and employee representatives was that nothing has changed since the talks broke down at 4.00am on a Saturday more than a month ago.

The employers still want a pay pause so they can remain competitive in an increasingly difficult economic climate. The unions still want the low-paid protected, pay increases of 5% and beyond, and the right to be able to collectively bargain for their members at local level in the workplace. And the Taoiseach still seems determined to remain outside the talks process until the last minute.