Private sector demands €1,000 pay hike

Unions have demanded that private sector workers receive a €1,000 pay hike next year.

The call for a pay increase across the private sector comes as the Government hardened its stance around any renegotiation of public sector wages.

Ministers agreed yesterday there would be no early renegotiation of the Lansdowne Road agreement despite an ultimatum from Siptu president Jack O’Connor that the union would ballot its 60,000 members for industrial action if new national pay talks are not announced by tomorrow.