OVER 5,000 people employed in Irish universities could face delays in receiving the first phase of a pay increase under Partnership 2000. The 2.5 per cent rise is due from next week.
Before the increase can be paid the unions have to "sign up" to a document stating that they will abide by the terms of the agreement, and there have been considerable delays in formulating the text.
SIPTU members, who comprise nearly half of the employees concerned, have threatened action if the increases are overdue.
However, a spokesman for the Department of Education said last night that the document had been finalised with the Department of Finance. It was being sent immediately to the Higher Education Authority so that it could initiate the "signing up" process with the various universities and other institutions involved.
Earlier the SIPTU section secretary in Trinity College Dublin, Mr Jim Larragy, said employees in the sector always bad difficulty with the HEA in securing pay increases on time. Negotiations in TCD had been stalled because of delays in processing the document. "There will be a lot of anger if it is not resolved quickly," he added.
The HEA said its hands were tied until an agreed formula had been received from the Department of Education. Once this was received sanction could be given for the increases.
The sector includes clerical, administrative and manual workers such as cleaners, caterers and maintenance grades, as well as academics. Most manual grades are paid weekly and white collar staff monthly. About half of employees in all grades are part time.