Irish unions vote on pay package

Public sector trade unionists in Ireland are voting on a pay package which involves pay cuts of between 5.5% and 10% for those earning more than £56,000, as well as delays in increments and increased hours for all staff.

The unions backing the settlement, which include Ireland’s largest public sector union IMPACT, argue that the deal is the best that could be achieved in the circumstances, as the government was determined to push through £860 million in public sector pay and pensions’ cuts over the next three years.

However, four unions walked out of the talks on the package and are calling for the deal to be rejected. The results of the vote are expected later this month.