Irish deal rejected

A majority of members of public sector unions in Ireland have rejected the draft agreement reached in February between the government and the unions.

The draft deal included pay cuts of between 5.5% and 10% for those earning more than €65,000, as well as delays in applying increments and increased hours for most staff.

It became clear that a majority of affected union members were opposed on 16 April, when members of Ireland’s largest union, SIPTU, and the teachers’ union INTO both voted against.

The government has reiterated its demands for cuts in the public sector pay and pension bill of €300 million in 2013 and €1 billion by 2015. Negotiations with the unions on an alternative to the rejected agreement have started.