COMMENT: Public pay restoration may come from reduced pension levy

Ahead of this afternoon’s announcement of the Government’s spring statement, public service unions have been setting out their stall as to what they want for their members from a rejuvenated state bank balance.

As Niall Shanahan of the country’s largest solely public service union, Impact, pointed out: “With modest pay recovery beginning to take hold in parts of the private sector, and with up to 57% of employers expecting to make similar pay improvements this year, it makes sense for the public sector to keep in step with these developments. The spring statement should give a clearer picture of where we can go from here in that regard.”

So what do unions want? First and foremost they expect Public Service Reform Minister Brendan Howlin to deliver on his promise of an “orderly” unwinding of the emergency legislation which has seen their members’ pay cut by 14%.