Unions and Govt begin talks over pay cuts
15/03/2010 - 07:03:13An intensive round of talks between public sector unions and the Government is to begin today.
The two weeks of negotiations will take place at the Labour Relations Commission - where both sides held preliminary discussions on Friday.
It is hoped the talks will bring about a resolution in the dispute over pay cuts and avert threatened strike action in the public sector.
T he talks between trade union officials and Government representatives are the first since negotiations broke down in December in advance of pay cuts announced in the Budget.
The parties will meet seperately this morning before the real talking begins this afternoon.
The LRC Chief Executive Kieran Mulvey has said, while the issues on the table are complex, detailed and emotive, he is hopeful the two weeks of intensive talks will lead to a successful outcome.
However the planned escalation of industrial action in the public sector - which is due to gain momentum in the coming weeks by hitting schools and the health service - has yet to be lifted by union leaders.
<-- BACK TO STORY