SIPTU not hopeful on social partnership agreement

The head of SIPTU says the odds against a new social partnership agreement are considerable.

Speaking ahead of the resumption of talks on a national recovery programme, Jack O'Connor said that unions and the Government have diametrically opposite perspectives on the economic crisis.

O'Connor said all sides will have to know by May 1 if an agreement can be reached.

The SIPTU leader has called for a social dividend in return for trade union co-operation in tackling the economic crisis.

He said that as well as bailing out the banks the Government must also ensure that people have adequate pension cover.