Unions 'are realistic' in Croke Park talks
15/01/2013 - 08:06:54
Cuts to public sector pay and overtime are expected to take centre stage in negotiations on the extension of the Croke Park Agreement.
A second day of talks gets underway later after an initial round yesterday left some union leaders pessimistic that a deal could be done because of the level of demands being sought by the Government.
The Government wants to make savings of €300m in the public service this year, and a €1bn over the next three years.
Donal Donovan, who is a member of the Government's appointed Fiscal Advisory Council, said he believe the unions will know there must be some movement on the issue of pay.
Mr Donovan said: "I think the unions are realistic, they have been relatively fortunate in that they have managed to get this far in the last couple of years without any significant adjustments in pay, but they can read the figures as well as anyone else.
"I think they know what the reality is and I think they have a sense that public opinion will not really tolerate one or more additional tough budgets without some significant movement in the area of public sector pay."
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