SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS ON PUBLIC SECTOR PAY WELCOME – SHERLOCK
Labour’s spokesperson on Public Expendutire and Reform, Seán Sherlock, T.D., has today welcomed news of a potential agreement between Government and the public sector trade unions.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“The Labour Party worked to create the Landsdowne Road Agreement that began the process of restoring public sector pay. The economic recovery we helped to create has provided the space for further substantial progress, and that is to be welcomed.
“The Government waited too long to start these discussions, and as a result, we saw industrial unrest begin to grow within the public sector. It is welcome that we have now reached a possible agreement that will put such industrial unrest behind us once more.
“The particular focus on pay increases for the lowest paid workers in the public sector is very welcome indeed, and the Labour Party recognises the efforts made by trade unions to ensure the deal that is on the table is a progressive one.
“Of course there are further issues that remain to be resolved – the unification of pay scales for new entrants, and measures to attract new nurses still need to be tackled. We look forward to hearing the outcome of trade union ballots on this agreement.”