Unions reject IBEC's 'strike-ridden Ireland' accusation

The vice-president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Joe O'Toole, has criticised the employers' body, IBEC, for accusing trade unions of trying to wreck the social partnership.

Joe O'Toole said that in many cases, employers have refused to pay their workers the extra 2% to which they are entitled.

He added that in reality IBEC is seeking to deflect attention from its members' slowness in meeting their obligations under the PPF.

It was very easy for Mr O'Connor to whip up interest among his own members by "having a go" at trade unions who are carrying out their business properly and correctly, he said.

IBEC Director General Turlough O'Connor said yesterday that Ireland is strike-ridden because unions are demanding more and more money from employers.