Union warns of escalation in protest

THE union representing lower paid civil servants has warned that their industrial action is likely to escalate if no deal on public sector pay and reform is reached at intensive talks this weekend.

Speaking as the Civil and Public Services Union Conference got underway in Galway, general secretary Blair Horan said he thought members would take a clear decision that if the talks do not resolve the problems, there will be an escalation.

Mr Horan said that members would not shut down any public counters anywhere in the public sector tomorrow. He said the union had decided counter closures in the current circumstances would be “irresponsible”.