Second union votes for strike action — but only with backing of ICTU

THE Public Service Executive Union yesterday became the second union to vote in favour of action — up to and including strikes — over the Government’s public service pension levy.

With action by Civil, Public and Services Unions due to go ahead on February 26, the PSEU’s 10,000 members voted 71% in favour of the action. However, they will not activate their action unless as part of a united campaign orchestrated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

The executive of ICTU meets in Dublin this afternoon to discuss how to progress that campaign in opposition to the Government’s strategy for economic recovery.