Union chiefs to consider ramping up action

Union chiefs meet today to look at escalating their campaign of industrial action against pay cuts in the public sector.

The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will gather in Dublin to review progress after two months of low level action, such as work-to-rule and bans on answering the phone.

It is thought phase two of the plan could include rolling work stoppages across the civil and public service.

On Friday, the Civil Public Services Union - which represents around 13,000 lower-paid civil servants - served formal strike notice on the Government.

Members are preparing for "selective strikes" from Monday week in an escalation of their row with the Government over cuts to pay and pensions.

The Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Passport Office could be badly hit and the CPSU has warned that the dispute could drag on if the Government fails to engage in meaningful talks.

On his way into today's meeting, General Secretary of the CPSU Blair Horan said there has to be a united approach.

"Well I hope that we'll be able to agree a strategy for escalating industrial action," Mr Horan said.

"We served our own strike notice as and from next Monday, and from that day on we will comtemplate engaging in targeted strike action.

"I think there will be probably different approaches in different sectors. The key thing is to get an agreement on that and also to get an agreement on the timescale for escalation."

Yesterday the Frontline Alliance issued a statement saying it will support an escalation of industrial action over public sector pay cuts.

The umbrella group represents gardaí, nurses, fire fighters, prison officers and ambulance personnel.