The pay deal recently ratified by union representatives of nearly 400,000 public and civil workers, is set to be endorsed by the government in the coming months. This followed a meeting in Dublin on Monday where members of the 19 affiliates of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, involved in the decision-making process, backed the deal through vote counts taking place over the past six weeks. The most dominant unions, such as Siptu, registered approval rates exceeding 90%.
In light of this, the public services committee (PSC) of the Ictu is now preparing to formally communicate their agreement to the government, setting the stage for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to start sanctioning the payments.
The agreement, inclusive of clauses to address local issues, represents a total 10.25% increase, and as much as 17.3% for the lowest wage earners, over a two and a half year period. The first hikes, either 2.25% or €1,125 (whichever is higher), will be effective immediately, with payments dating back to January 1st.
The 385,000 direct beneficiaries from the civil and public sectors can expect to see their increments and backdated pays over the subsequent months, though the rate at which the increases are awarded may differ according to the sector.
Praising the economic terms of the deal, PSC Chairperson and Fórsa General Secretary, Kevin Callinan, highlighted Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe’s promise to peel back the remaining Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Fempi) – a legislation introduced following the global financial crisis. “In efforts to return to regular industrial relations, the union had been seeking this conclusion,” Callinan said. “This pact also nods at local bargaining, providing specific provisions permitting trade unions to negotiate tailor-made deals for specific employee groups or grades.
“In both aspects, we’ve secured an exclusive pay arrangement, whilst optimising early-phase benefits for public servants with 4.25% being payable this year”, Callinan concluded.