Defence Forces go on attack in pay talks

The organisation that represents the vast bulk of Defence Forces personnel is “preparing to go to war” in the new round of pay talks. It wants treatment comparable to the Garda representative associations, which have clawed back pay and allowances.

PDFORRA, which represents 7,000 frontline Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps enlisted personnel, has set out its stall ahead of the new round of negotiations with the Government about improved pay and conditions for its members.

PDFORRA is demanding comparable treatment to all public service employees, and has highlighted the dire pay that some Defence Forces’ members receive. For example, the Naval Service’s younger members are getting nearly half the minimum wage, while working massive hours on migrant rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.