Union warns public workers may strike over pay approaching budget

Muireann Duffy

Public sector workers could take industrial action approaching the announcement of Budget 2023, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Icut) has warned.

Workers unions and the Government had been negotiating a new public pay deal last month, however, the discussions stalled when an offer of a 5 per cent pay increase over a two-year period was rejected.

Union representatives have said the increase must reflect the rise in inflation, allowing workers to keep astride with the rising cost of living.

Ictu president Kevin Callinan said general measures to tackle the cost of living will not be enough for workers.

"What we are seeking is a review of the agreement that ran last year and this year. That agreement provided a 1 per cent general increase last October and a 1 per cent general increase in October coming.

"Anything that the Government might do in the budget isn't going to address the deficit that exists between the current agreement and the level of inflation that exists," Mr Callinan said.

Next year's budget will be unveiled by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath on Tuesday, September 27th.