Public servants to seek restoration of pay rates

The leader of one of the country’s largest public service unions has said public servants may seek the restoration of their pay rates through a reduction in the pension levy rather than a rise in gross wages.

Impact general secretary Shay Cody said unions had told the Government they would lodge a pay claim if and when the State’s finances “improved to a degree that would lead us to believe that the exchequer could cope”.

“In practical terms, once it is clear that the Government is on target to achieve the Euro requirement of a deficit of less than 3% of GDP in 2015 — and they are predicting that they will — we believe the exchequer will be in a position to cope.”