Unions warn of possible further action

Public sector unions are warning that further industrial action will be considered if the work-to-rule campaign now underway does not bring results.

Thousands of public servants have mounted a campaign of non-cooperation with management in government offices, the health service and schools in protest over cuts to their pay announced in the Budget.

Senior government ministers have called on the unions to rethink their action and to enter talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

Environment Minister John Gormley has said a work-to-rule by public sector workers is "not the way forward".

"It was a very difficult Budget for people in the public sector, I understand that," the Green Party leader said.

"But going on strike or a work-to-rule at this stage is not the way forward."

But Bernard Harbour from IMPACT said further action will be considered unless the Government reverses pay cuts,

"It's possible that there will be other actions as time goes on," Mr Harbour said. "But no decisions have been taken on that right now."

"The most important thing is that the Government needs to rethink its approach to the public service.

"We need to get back into a position where we can talk about reversing the pay cuts and defending public services, while making the savings the Government requires."