Government must find a pension protection carrot to keep unions at the table

SOCIAL partnership talks on an economic recovery plan, adjourned in the hope that this month’s budget would bring more clarity to discussions, resume this afternoon with most sides none the wiser as to how and when a deal can be done.

As the economy has rapidly declined, unions have repeatedly said any economic recovery plan should lay the lion’s share of the burden on those best able to afford it.

As far as union leaders are concerned, the budget provided no solace and only strengthened their prior belief that Government expects low and middle income earners, to bear the brunt of economic recovery, while the super-rich can continue to tax dodge.