Trade union concerns over who’ll pay most

PUBLIC service trade unionists are well-versed in defending themselves from accusations from vested interests — both Governmental and commercial — of enjoying a privileged position compared to their private sector counterparts.

Yet before Brian Lenihan’s eagerly anticipated four-year-plan for economic recovery is even unveiled this afternoon, the spokesmen for those trade unionists will already be rehearsing a defence to the predictable onslaught from commentators that they are not being forced to pay their fair share.

Never mind that taxation increases will affect every paycheck whether it is signed by Joe Bloggs builders or has the stamp of the HSE.