Social protection minister appeals to trade unions to join public sector pay talks

It comes after Siptu said it would ballot tens of thousands of public service members on strike action, blaming Government inaction on pay talks  

Social protection minister Dara Calleary: 'The Government is more than willing and able to do a deal.' Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

Public sector unions have been called on to join public sector pay talks by two senior ministers.

Social protection minister Dara Calleary made the appeal after Siptu said it would ballot tens of thousands of public service members on strike action, blaming Government inaction on pay talks. 

On Friday, the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) confirmed its 19 affiliated unions would convene their national executive bodies to prepare for potential industrial action ballots, following "the failure to establish a basis for talks on a new public service pay agreement". The current deal lapsed last week.

At an informal meeting of European social affairs ministers, Mr Calleary said public expenditure minister Jack Chambers remains available to unions to discuss a new deal. 

Last week, Mr Chambers warned trade unions the Government would not sign up to a new pay agreement “at any cost”, something Mr Calleary echoed.

“The Government is more than willing and able to do a deal," Mr Calleary said.

"We made it clear, not at any cost. We want to have a negotiation, and Minister Chambers has made it very clear. He’s available for negotiation.

“I think stability is important, industrial stability is important, and as a Government, we have delivered on pay agreements in the past. We want to continue to do that. We very much understand the pressures that workers are under at the moment, the cost-of-living issues, and we want to ensure we protect them against that. But we can’t do that at any cost,” Mr Calleary added.

His comments were echoed by Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris, who said previous deals had served the country well and a new deal could not come at any cost.

The public sector pay deal introduced under the last Government expired on June 30, with no agreement struck.

Unions said last month there was “no basis” for public sector pay talks and suggested they would ballot for industrial action.

Siptu general secretary John King said "exploratory talks with Government officials over the last few weeks failed to establish the basis for formal talks to begin, as they did not set out clearly their commitment to a pay strategy in an agreement that would protect the living standards of our members, over the lifetime of a multi-annual engagement".

"The cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation have completely eroded the value of pay increases paid to public servants under the previous agreements and Siptu members in the public service are determined that they should not pay the price for the Government's delay. Our members deliver essential services every day. Their patience is now being tested.

"It is unacceptable that meaningful negotiations have not begun and that key commitments, including the 1% local bargaining fund, remain outstanding. Our ballots will send a clear message to the Government: public servants expect immediate engagement, fairness and delivery on pay. We will not wait anymore."