Divisions may lead to pay free-for-all

TODAY is D-Day for a new national pay deal as talks between unions and employers enter their most crucial phase.

Both sides were still deeply divided last night and there was no sign of whether a breakthrough could be found.

ICTU president Joe O’Toole, who is seeking pay rises for workers in line with inflation, has said the situation will become irretrievable if a deal is not struck today.