CPSU: Long-term industrial action cannot be ruled out

The General Secretary of the Civil Public and Services Union, Blair Horan, is predicting the deal on public sector pay and reform will be rejected outright by unions.

It is meeting this morning to decide its official recommendation to members but Mr Horan said they will be urging them to vote no.

He is calling for a renegotiation of the Croke Park agreement to restore pay cuts for civil servants.

Speaking on his way into the meeting, Mr Horan - who was part of the team which negotiated the deal - said long-term industrial action cannot be ruled out.