Brendan Howlin backs union pay demands

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has joined union representatives in demanding the acceleration of pay recovery as part of upcoming public sector negotiations.

However, union representatives have also come out strongly against providing “special deals” for any sectors that may be struggling to recruit or retain staff.

Talks between the Government and public sector unions around a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement are due to begin shortly with the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act. Contributions to pensions, recruitment, and retention all up for discussion.