Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Donohoe acknowledged that the negotiations will be "challenging". Alamy

Unions invited to discuss public sector pay by Minister Donohoe

Unions said they want normalised industrial relations processes and appropriate pay measures.

A NUMBER OF unions representing public sector workers have been invited to discuss pay within the sector by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe.

The invitation to the talks has been acknowledged and will be considered by Siptu and the The ICTU Public Service Committee (PSC). 

Both groups highlighted two of their main priorities, ahead of negotiations, as normalising industrial relations processes in the sector and securing appropriate pay measures to tackle with rising costs.

Donohoe invited unions to enter negotiations with Government on the potential for a new public service pay agreement under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.

Announcing the invitation today, Donohoe said the “opportunity now exists for the parties to intensify efforts to try to agree an appropriate successor agreement to Building Momentum which expires at the end of 2023″.

The ‘Building Momentum agreement‘ was accepted by unions in October 2022, after extensive negotiations between unions and the government. The deal was brokered under the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis.

Under the plan, employees in the public sector received a 6.5% pay increase, over the 12 months that followed its agreement, in three increments. The final increment took place in October.

Speaking on the union’s consideration, Siptu’s deputy general secretary John King said workers want pay increases which “ensure that the value of their pay is not eroded by inflation”.

King said workers also “want a return to normalised industrial relations across the public service”.

He added that members would want to maintain the protective clauses in the Public Service Agreement that prevents any form of outsourcing and secure clauses around service delivery.

The PSC are also seeking the same particular securities ahead of the new negotiations.

In a statement from the committee today, it said the committee agreed its “priority objectives for a future pay deal in September” which places a “particular emphasis” on securing appropriate pay measures, in response to continuing cost-of-living pressures.

The PSC are also seeking a return to normalised industrial relations processes after unions have “identified the normalisation of ‘post-crisis’ public service industrial relations”.

The group said this clause will be a “key priority” for them moving into talks, particularly seeking “appropriate access” to the WRC and the Labour Court, and the final dismantling of remaining emergency legislation.

Both groups also are seeking to resolve outstanding issues affecting a number of public service grades, groups and categories.

These measures are considered methods to future-proof public services and public service employment.

Donohoe acknowledged these discussions will be “challenging”, adding that any agreement has to be appropriate to the economic and geopolitical contexts the country is currently facing.

The minister added: “However, I believe that there is scope for all parties to engage constructively towards an agreement that provides valuable certainty over the coming years for the taxpayer, businesses who rely on essential public services and of course our public servants who work so hard to provide them.”

Both Siptu and ICTU’s PSC has acknowledged the invitation, with members PSC due to meet tomorrow morning to consider and respond to the minister’s invitation.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
46 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tara Mc Cormack
    Favourite Tara Mc Cormack
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:09 PM

    There’s an awful lot of this happening the past week or maybe it’s just that its being reported on. Hope the staff recover soon :)

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amy O Doherty
    Favourite Amy O Doherty
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:23 PM

    How the hell does one make a get away from the blanch centre? I have never managed to get away from it in less than twenty minutes! Hope the chap is ok

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dwickedchicken
    Favourite Dwickedchicken
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:38 PM

    Sc um bags.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mac Ready
    Favourite Mac Ready
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:15 PM

    Not much use to the guys who took the cash as they will have dye packs that will explode after s couple of minutes hope it blinds the snackers!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute marcus o reilly
    Favourite marcus o reilly
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 8:02 PM

    They can change the money in the cash machines in the likes of the leisure plex. Machines can pick up on the dye.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goebong
    Favourite Goebong
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 8:36 PM

    Nope my friend its easily removed place the cash box in hot water with loads of colour catcher and bleach, dye is removed from all notes apart from fivers because they are a low quality note … I’m sure this comment will be removed but it a fact !

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Meade
    Favourite John Meade
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:10 PM

    Was he not wearing his company issue helmet ?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rotund jocularity
    Favourite rotund jocularity
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:18 PM

    That probably why his injuries arent serious..

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:18 PM

    So helmet will take full impact of axe or iron bar across the head? ?

    I love the level of intelligence on many commentators.

    Wish the man a speedy recovery

    98
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran McCann
    Favourite Ciaran McCann
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:35 PM

    Where does it say “Axe” in the story?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:58 PM

    Where did the not say axe or iron bar?. Your hardly gonna hold up a security van with a foot long floppy rubber dildo are you?

    130
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O'Sullivan
    Favourite Daniel O'Sullivan
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 5:05 PM

    Rumour has it they don’t wear them anymore as they had issues from being blindsided when being robbed. Hope they guy is ok dangerous work for little money.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Meade
    Favourite John Meade
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 5:12 PM

    Gaurdian
    I asked a relevant question, i didnt make a statement, as for the helmet, i have seen more CIT staff with no helmet carrying boxs of cash in and out of busines’s and ATM machines than i have seen with a helmet. So if he was not wearing it, and i repeat, “not wearing” it then his trip to the hospital might well have been avoided, on a seperate issue who are you to pass judgement on my level of inteligence, did you notice the question mark at the end of my original question, this indicates i was asking a question, and you dont say ” I love the level of intelligence on many commentators” the correct grammer is “I love the level of intelligence of many commentators”

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran McCann
    Favourite Ciaran McCann
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 5:42 PM

    Did they shout “YOU WILL NOT TAKE OUR FREEDOM!!” before or after the robbery?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:08 PM

    Dorry John for getting your back on the level of your common sense. Which would kind of lead you to the common sense conclusion that policy would be they wear P.P.E out of secure van. Oh apologies thats personal protective equipment. Standard for health and safety reasons and regardless of rumour must be worn.

    So again I say the level of intelligent input in this site is sadly lacking at times. Thank you so very much for pointing that out.

    Also grammatically you will have to take that up with the lovely auto correct system designers for Samsung.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:36 PM

    Sorry *** case in point about auto correction

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:36 PM

    Also should be *******getting your back up******

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sluazcanal
    Favourite sluazcanal
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 9:11 PM

    @John Meade. Grammar not grammer.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Carr
    Favourite Declan Carr
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:42 PM

    how blanch Security didn’t spot the two guys with all the cameras they have. The two men were hiding in the bushes net to that atm, when the van pulled up they go out and attacked. I am sure some people seen the guys in the bushes but didn’t think twice about them.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre Maher
    Favourite Deirdre Maher
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 6:54 PM

    Yrs ago I was arriving at the centre on a bus and I seen a car parked up on the path outside the post office doors with 4 men sitting inside .. U could clearly see them dressed in black with balaclavas and a gun .. How security didn’t go to check why the car was parked up on the path that far in is strange … They need to get proper security gaurds !

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron
    Favourite Aaron
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 7:58 PM

    guys with guns with nothing to lose, a security guard unarmed with everything to lose, they made the right choice, why would they risk their life for money thats insured

    41
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goebong
    Favourite Goebong
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 8:38 PM

    They are too busy harassing teenagers and acting like Hartman .. Wana be coppers

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre Maher
    Favourite Deirdre Maher
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 9:12 AM

    I didn’t mean I expectd them to approach them with guns , my point was that the security did notice them in the first place .. Which shouldn’t have been hard as we’re the car was is a footpath in from the road a bit should have been easily noticed and it wasn’t !

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darragh
    Favourite Darragh
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:30 PM

    Just driving the 7 min drive home and saw eight “02 D” black BMWs. Wonder which one it was…

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Geary
    Favourite John Geary
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 8:47 PM

    I was in the UK recently, I noticed G4S staff there wearing helmets & body armour/stab vest? I wonder why they don’t supply them for their staff here…I don’t think Dublin is any less dangerous than London? Anyway, hope the security guy has a speedy recovery. Tough job.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Geary
    Favourite John Geary
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 8:51 PM

    I was in the UK recently, I noticed that G4S staff there wear helmets & body armour/stab vests. I wonder why they don’t provide them for their staff here in Ireland? I don’t think Dublin is any less dangerous. Anyway, I hope the security guy has a speedy recovery. Tough job.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stroked Jammer
    Favourite Stroked Jammer
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 4:47 PM

    Did someone say stroked jammer?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neil79
    Favourite Neil79
    Report
    Jul 19th 2013, 9:00 PM

    well said Aaron

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds