ABOUT TIME GOVERNMENT MOVED ON LANSDOWNE ROAD
Commenting on the announcement of a two-phased approach by the Government to public sector pay, Labour Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Sean Sherlock TD said:
“For months the Labour Party has called on the Government to move on opening discussions on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.”
“The announcement today that talks would be opened under Section 6 is a welcome start.”
“It will provide an opportunity for the Government to engage with the public sector unions and understand better the concerns of their members on pay restoration.
“Since the end of the summer it has been obvious that the Government needed a new industrial relations strategy. The recent Labour Court decision confirmed it.
“The Government had to date failed to respond properly on recent developments, creating uncertainty for all public sector employees.
“The Government has used the Public Pay Commission to kick the can further down the road on the overall issue of pay restoration but we welcome that after it reports the Government will initiate negotiations on a successor Collective Agreement.
“However, today’s announcement was a missed opportunity to immediately start a broader social dialogue that would involve public servants in discussions about investment in public services as well as in pay.”
ENDS