SIPTU warn of wage agreement problems

SIPTU have warned that if any national wage agreement is to go ahead, the Government must control rapidly rising prices.

The union's vice president, Jack O'Connor told a conference in Waterford today that workers are not prepared to accept a cut in living standards to subsidise profiteering by businesses.

The SIPTU official expressed fear that those opposed to a national wage agreement have been gaining ground in the business community.

He said that this would be disastrous for all concerned in the long-term.