State slammed over soldiers’ exclusion from full pay talks

A European ruling has criticised the Government for excluding soldiers, sailors, and aircrew from full engagement in national pay talks, potentially opening the way for further court action.

PDForra, which represents enlisted men and women in the Defence Forces, won the ruling from the powerful European Social Rights Committee (ESRC), which also stated it should be allowed to seek affiliation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

The association lodged a complaint in October 2014 under articles of the European Social Charter and took the action with the support of European Organisation of Military Associations.