IFUT to decide later on whether to enter LRC pay talks

The Irish Federation of University Teachers will make a decision today whether or not to enter public sector pay discussions with the LRC over a revised Croke Park deal.

The union says that a major obstacle to entering talks is anger from members that the government is seeking to get away with a 'blatant breach of faith' on the original deal.

Last week the INTO and the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) agreed to try and reach a negotiated agreement over the proposals which include pay cuts, increment freezes and longer working weeks.

Meanwhile, reports over the weekend suggest that concessions being given to some unions could reduce the savings under the Croke Park 2 deal by up to €50m.

It is believed that under these proposals the government could still make the one billion euro of savings needed by 2015.

General Secretary of the IFUT, Mike Jennings, says either way their decision will be made today.