PDFORRA, the union representing Defence Forces personnel, said today it will recommend acceptance of the new national wage agreement to its members.
"The National Executive has considered the terms of the proposed agreement and believes they are the best that can be achieved at this time," said PDFORRA general secretary Gerry Rooney.
"It will probably see PDFORRA members receive an increase which will not match inflation and undergo a prolonged pay freeze of 11 months duration - and this will not be easy. However, there does not appear to be an alternative for our membership".
Mr Rooney said PDFORRA did not take up an offer of parallel talks with the Department of Finance and Defence during the pay deal negotiations.
"The parallel talks cannot offer an alternative to those engaged in between Ictu, Ibec and the Government," Mr Rooney said. "It is our view that they are offered in an effort to distance PDFORRA from the trade union movement".