II agreement – but vowed to resist any Government attempts to legislate for pay cuts.
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland voted to reject the proposals with a majority of 85 per cent and general secretary Pat King said the result mirrored the “deep anger” being expressed by teachers across the country at the “unfairness” of the deal.
“Teachers have already taken significant cuts in pay and have made a substantial contribution to the achievement of savings in education through the Croke Park agreement,” he said.
“New teachers have been subjected to an inferior pay scale while schools have been stripped of vital funding and staffing resources. Teachers are saying no to public sector workers being singled out for further unfair treatment,” he added.
Unite regional secretary Jimmy Kelly – whose members rejected the deal with a majority of 84 per cent – said his organisation will “stand with other unions” against any Government attempt to “force through” the plan.
“This has been a democratic process which the Government sought to disrupt through threats and bully tactics,” he said.
“The vote is loud and clear that these proposals are bad for workers, bad for everyone that relies on money being spent, and bad for Ireland. Unite has stood firm with other trade unions in presenting an honest case.
"We now have to follow through the wishes of our members and will do so by standing against any attempt by Government to railroad imposed cuts through a technical device at Ictu or legislation that would tear up any basis of trust that exists between worker and employer."
Grassroots
Kieran Allen from the education branch of Siptu commended the work of the union's grassroots members in helping to secure rejection of the deal, despite the union's leadership seeking a Yes vote.
“The Siptu leadership should now consider their position as it is clear they are out of touch with the ordinary members of the union – many of whom believe that they are more interested in keeping their friends in the Labour Party happy than fighting for their members,” he said.
“There needs to be a democratic election of a new leadership in Siptu – one which would refuse to accept €1 billion being taken out of the pockets of public sector workers.”
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) – which rejected the deal by 95 per cent – said the “critically important issue” of public sector pay is to be discussed at this morning’s meeting of the Ictu executive council.
INMO general secretary Liam Doran said the “overwhelming” rejection of the deal was “a total endorsement” of the union executive council’s decision to recommend a No vote.
“After a nationwide series of information meetings, followed by workplace ballots, it is confirmed that the vast majority of our members have evaluated the proposals and found them to be deeply flawed.
“It is imperative that – in the first instance – Ictu adopts a strategy which will maintain a cohesive and collective approach on this issue. It is equally important that no move is made to try and force these rejected proposals on to all workers who have so clearly rejected same.”
Meanwhile, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (Ibec) expressed disappointment at the collapse of the deal.
Ibec director of industrial relations Brendan McGinty said Ireland has an “unsustainable” budget deficit and that an agreed way forward would have been “preferable”.
“We continue to spend €1.3 billion more than we bring in every month. The changes proposed are not easy for public sector workers, but they are necessary.
“The Government must now move to ensure that there is no slippage on the established expenditure reduction targets.”
Goodbody Stockbrokers chief economist Dermot O’Leary said the collapse of the deal could cause “uncertainty” in the markets. “It’s dead in the water now, the deal can’t pass. This may cause uncertainty in Irish bond markets as it’s the first real setback we've seen in quite a while.”
