Decision on pay deal ‘within 24 hours’
While there is renewed optimism among some quarters within social partnership that a compromise deal can be achieved, with the intervention of Government today, others remain to be convinced.
One well-placed union source predicted the framework of a new deal would be signed tomorrow morning.
Another said the chasm between employers and employees was too great, though he added that, having attended negotiations on national wage agreements in the past, negotiations could easily change tack within a 24-hour period.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen had said in advance of yesterday afternoon that if there was no progress made by Friday, the decision would have to be taken on whether to keep going.
When the parties emerged from talks yesterday evening, it was confirmed the Government was willing to bring them back in.
It is expected that when the sides reassemble at 2.30pm today, they will hold face-to-face meetings, chaired by government secretary general, Dermot McCarthy, before he and his staff decide whether there is a deal to be done.
One source said it now seems a pay pause is certain for the public sector, while if one is introduced in the private sector, it will have to be accompanied by a significant pay increase after the pause, up to at least 4-5% per annum.
The source said unions will not accept the postponement of negotiations on a legal framework for collective bargaining or on pensions in order to get a deal on pay.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said all the key issues were still in play and that talking over the last five days had been about securing each other’s position.
He said the Government could not put its position on the table until it knew a deal was possible.
Larry Broderick, the general secretary of the Irish Bank Officials Association, said he was not confident a deal could be reached.
