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06/11/2009
Thousands To Take Part In Protests
Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets today in opposition to the Government's mooted plans to cut public sector pay.
The march, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), is part of the union's National Day of Action, and is taking place in Dublin, Waterford, Tullamore, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Dundalk.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has spoken out against the action, saying the protests and industrial disputes would not resolve the country’s economic problems.
He told an economic conference in Dublin yesterday a cut of €1.3 billion in the public sector pay and pensions bill would have to be implemented in the budget.
But he said the Government was anxious to work with trade unions to find an agreed way of securing these savings.
However, the ICTU has rubbished Mr Cowen's claims this morning, saying they wished to "state clearly that there are currently NO talks taking place between Congress and Government on a possible new National Agreement".
"The only discussions currently taking place are those between the public sector unions and Government as their employer, on possible reductions in the public sector pay bill and related matters," the spokesman said.
Mr Cowen also again ruled out the proposal by the union to raise the top band of income tax rates to 54% next year
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time last night, Mr Cowen said: “The present situation isn’t sustainable, and we have a vision for the public service in the future. It will be a smaller service which will be one that has been outlined in various reports and need to get on with that project.”
(DW/BMcC)
The march, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), is part of the union's National Day of Action, and is taking place in Dublin, Waterford, Tullamore, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Dundalk.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has spoken out against the action, saying the protests and industrial disputes would not resolve the country’s economic problems.
He told an economic conference in Dublin yesterday a cut of €1.3 billion in the public sector pay and pensions bill would have to be implemented in the budget.
But he said the Government was anxious to work with trade unions to find an agreed way of securing these savings.
However, the ICTU has rubbished Mr Cowen's claims this morning, saying they wished to "state clearly that there are currently NO talks taking place between Congress and Government on a possible new National Agreement".
"The only discussions currently taking place are those between the public sector unions and Government as their employer, on possible reductions in the public sector pay bill and related matters," the spokesman said.
Mr Cowen also again ruled out the proposal by the union to raise the top band of income tax rates to 54% next year
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time last night, Mr Cowen said: “The present situation isn’t sustainable, and we have a vision for the public service in the future. It will be a smaller service which will be one that has been outlined in various reports and need to get on with that project.”
(DW/BMcC)
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02 December 2009
Cowen Claims No Agreement Reached On Public Sector Pay
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has told the Dáil no "basis for agreement" has been reached over the ongoing talks with public sector unions. Speaking this morning, Mr Cowen said proposals put forward by public sector unions on reducing the pay and pensions bill by €1.3bn next year did not constitute a agreeable package in their present form.
Cowen Claims No Agreement Reached On Public Sector Pay
The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has told the Dáil no "basis for agreement" has been reached over the ongoing talks with public sector unions. Speaking this morning, Mr Cowen said proposals put forward by public sector unions on reducing the pay and pensions bill by €1.3bn next year did not constitute a agreeable package in their present form.
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