ICTU says Budget threatens wage agreement

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions says yesterday's Budget will make it more difficult to secure a successor to the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness.

The Executive Council of the ICTU met this afternoon to discuss its position for the forthcoming negotiations on a new national pay agreement.

Employers are insisting on a pay pause and pay rises lower than the rate of inflation.

But ICTU's General Secretary David Begg says workers will also be holding firm in their demands.