Social partners reach agreement on new 10-year deal
The social partners have finally concluded negotiations on a new deal to replace the Sustaining Progress Agreement.
The discussions have been on-going for several months due to difficulties surrounding a range of areas, including pay, employment standards, pensions, housing and welfare.
However, all sides signed off on a new 10-year agreement last night entitled Towards 2016.
Some of the main aspects of the deal are pay rises totalling 10% over a 27-month period, as well as a commitment to solve the social housing situation by 2013.
The Government has also committed itself to raising the lowest social welfare rate to 30% of the average industrial wage and keeping at that level in future years.
Last night, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described the agreement as an important framework for meeting the economic and social challenges that lie ahead.
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