Tensions between the country’s largest union
and the government have been brewing for weeks, leading up to a proposed
suspension of last September’s national wage agreement (see
our dispatch No. 080717), which both the government and employers now
claim is too costly in the current economic climate. This agreement falls under
the auspices of the “Towards 2016”
social partnership pledge (see
our dispatch No. 06855), would have guaranteed all Irish workers a 6%
wage increase over 21 months. The key employers’ union Irish Business and
Employers Confederation (IBEC) has recently called for the wage agreement to be
postponed by one year, arguing that Irish companies can no longer afford its
measures. The ICTU union points out that the national agreement contains state
support provisions for companies which file an ‘inability to pay’ plea.
However, the government fears that such demands will soar in the current
context.
ase over 21 months. The key employers’ union Irish Business and
Employers Confederation (IBEC) has recently called for the wage agreement to be
postponed by one year, arguing that Irish companies can no longer afford its
measures. The ICTU union points out that the national agreement contains state
support provisions for companies which file an ‘inability to pay’ plea.
However, the government fears that such demands will soar in the current
context.
A new social
partnership. Faced
with this refu
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