Pay deal hopes 'fading due to widening IBEC-ICTU gulf’
03/05/2006 - 07:45:34The prospect of a new national pay deal is reportedly fading due to a widening gulf between employers and trade unions.
Reports this morning said the trade union movement was seeking pay increases of more than 5% per year, as well as a clause that would allow workers to seek extra increases from highly-profitable firms.
The employers, however, are reportedly insisting that any pay rises must be kept below 3% and are reportedly threatening to walk away from social partnership rather than accept a local bargaining clause.
This morning's reports said the employers' body IBEC was insisting that Irish businesses were under severe pressure, while ICTU was of the view that the economy is in a very healthy state.
