Ahern says SIPTU withdrawal would do 'enormous damage'
24/10/2005 - 14:42:22The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that if SIPTU pulls out of social partnership, it will do enormous damage to the process.
SIPTU delegates are meeting today ahead of a crucial ICTU vote tomorrow.
The union is expected to seek a deferral of talks on a new national pay deal until the government provides assurances that the Irish Ferries controversy won't be allowed to happen elsewhere.
Mr Ahern said he gave ICTU those assurances last week and can't imagine a social partnership agreement without the country's largest union.
