Unions and employers satisfied with partnership deal
Unions and employers have both expressed satisfaction with the new 10-year social partnership deal that was finally concluded last night after months of negotiations.
The deal includes pay rises totalling 10% over 27 months, measures to protect employment standards and a commitment that the lowest social welfare rate will be increased to 30% of the average industrial rate.
SIPTU president Jack O'Connor, whose union was at the forefront in demanding moves to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers, said today that he was satisfied with the progress achieved.
"I would have preferred if we had achieved more, but the measures that are proposed will undoubtedly help in the battle to combat exploitation and displacement," he said.
Brendan Butler of employers' body IBEC said he was also satisfied that the deal would be positive for the business community and would help to protect competitiveness.
"This agreement has gone further in addressing some of the key business issues that are out there, particularly the costs for business and the particular challenges facing the manufacturing sector and the food industry," he said.
Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, meanwhile, has said the Government is confident the deal will be good for both sides.
"We're quite happy with the agreement," he said today.
"We believe it achieves a fair balance between the need to continue to be competitive and to create the conditions for further economic growth and then to rightfully reward workers.
"I look forward to a better social welfare situation for many people and also to the new forum on manufacturing, which will work on the issue of making sure that Ireland keeps manufacturing jobs."
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