From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
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The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath today updated Cabinet on recent talks held with Public Service Unions and Associations.
Exploratory discussions have been taking place between the parties to the Building Momentum Public Sector Pay Agreement following the triggering of the agreement’s review clause by public service unions due to the increasing cost in living. The purpose of the discussions was to examine if there is a basis for entering into formal talks to reach an agreed way forward on public pay issues.
Minister McGrath commented:
“I would like to acknowledge the detailed engagement that has been ongoing between officials from my department and members of the Public Service Committee of ICTU and representatives associations. I am grateful for the positive and constructive manner in which the discussions have taken place to date.
"I advised my Cabinet colleagues this morning that I am of the view that there exists a basis for formal negotiations to now take place. Cabinet has agreed to this proposal and discussions will be facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission commencing next week.
"I recognise that these will be very challenging negotiations given the impact high levels of inflation are having on living standards of workers but also because of the uncertainty in the global economic outlook. My aim in these talks will be to strike the right balance and seek to achieve a deal that is fair and affordable to both taxpayers generally and public service employees.
"Given the confidential nature of the process I will not be commenting further during the negotiation period."