Country's largest civil service union approves new pay deal

Ireland's largest civil service union, the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU), has today voted in favour of the Lansdowne Road agreement.

Members voted to accept the deal on public service pay and conditions by a majority of more than two to one.

Out of a valid poll of 6,880, 69% (4,751) voted Yes, while 31% (2,129) voted No.

Commenting on the outcome, CPSU general secretary Eoin Ronayne said the union saw the agreement “as just a start on the road to the full restoration of all pay and conditions cut since 2008”.

Welcoming the result, he said: “The members recognised that the flat rate mechanism used to restore some of the pension levy and basic pay in the deal prioritised lower paid workers” but he warned that the failure of the Government to put more than €270m a year on the table meant many long serving lower income public servants at the top of their scales felt aggrieved.

He said the CPSU would be seeking the application of a similar flat-rate mechanism on future pay restoration in future discussions on a new pay determination process.

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) also voted to accept the deal, it was announced earlier today.

The result of a ballot of IFUT members, counted today, was 310 in favour and 132 against, representing a 70% ‘Yes’ vote.

However, more than three quarters of Unite trade union have voted to reject the proposals.

Commenting on the ballot outcome, Unite regional co-ordinating officer Richie Browne said:

“The overwhelming vote to reject the Lansdowne Road proposals reflects the anger felt by members.

“Public sector workers who provide the services on which we all rely have paid for a crisis not of their making. In addition to pay cuts, the pension levy and increased taxes and charges, our members have faced job losses, cuts in sick pay and longer hours.

“They have also been dealing with the increased pressures associated with the public sector recruitment moratorium.

“Against that background, over three-quarters of Unite members feel that the Lansdowne Road proposals negotiated at the end of May are insufficient to compensate them for the losses suffered since 2009”, Richie Browne said.

“Accordingly, Unite will be voting against the proposals when the ICTU Public Services Committee meets on Wednesday to conduct the aggregate ballot.

“Notwithstanding the likely outcome of that ballot, Unite will continue making the case for full restoration of our members’ terms and conditions.”