Unions and Government seek independent input on pay row

Trade unions and Government representatives are meeting separately with an independent body in a bid to resolve the ongoing row over public sector pay.

It is understood unions rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two and a half years.

This would include a 1.75% increase for this year, backdated to July when the last pay deal expired.

There would then be a series of pay increases over the course of 2027 and 2028 totalling 5%.

A further 1% would be allocated for local bargaining, which allows for pay issues to be addressed involving specific roles and grades.

The Government appointed group, which is meeting with the parties today, is chaired by chair of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Kevin Foley and was originally formed to construct the framework of the pay talks.

Yesterday, unions announced plans for a 24-hour strike on Thursday 12 November.

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Watch: Decision made yesterday to proceed with strike, says Kevin Callinan

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They have accused the Government of failing to make a credible offer on pay.

Talks at the WRC were adjourned on Friday night with unions saying that a significant impasse had been reached.

The strike on Thursday week will coincide with the first of two meetings of European leaders due to take place as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

There will be a demonstration in Dublin and smaller rallies around the country as part of the strike.

After the work stoppage, unions said they will intensify the work-to-rule action that is already under way across the public sector and look at taking further industrial action.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said it was "extremely regrettable" that unions have chosen to escalate matters further by announcing a strike day for 12 November.

"This will cause significant disruption to critical services that the public rely on while this industrial relations process remains ongoing," Mr Chambers said.

"Government wants an agreement that gets the balance right by delivering a pay deal that is fair and credible to workers and is fiscally responsible and sustainable for the country," he added.

Former WRC chair Kieran Mulvey said he was not surprised a new strike date was announced, but warned it should not go ahead as it would leave everyone in "no man's land".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mr Mulvey said a "serious war of attrition" between the parties could ensue if the strike goes ahead.

"And I don't think the unions want to continue this beyond what is necessary to get an acceptable agreement," he added.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said he was more concerned about the impact next week's strike will have on public services, than the fact it would coincide with events during Ireland's EU presidency.

Speaking as he arrived at Government Buildings, he said he has a huge respect for those working in public service, but said he does not want to see any more disruption, adding "I don't think public sector workers want to see it either".

He said: "I fully accept the depth of feeling amongst public sector workers and the concerns that they share and private sector workers share in terms of cost of living pressures.

"We want to work with them," he said.

Mr Harris said the Government was briefed on security plans for the European Political Community (EPC) event, which will coincide with planned strikes next week.

He said it is a "very, very significant logistic operation", but said he is satisfied there are robust security plans in place.

"There's nine days to go until the next strike action. Let's all try and work to find a solution. Let's find a way forward, and let's get that extra money into the pockets of our nurses, of our teachers, of our gardaí, of our civil servants, and also people who do a great job right across the public service," he said.

He said they will try their "very best to find a solution - and in the coming hours and days".

Additional reporting Róisín Cullen