A shake-up in competition procedures for civil service jobs is proposed in a document circulated by Government officials to public sector unions yesterday.
Strong commitments to industrial peace and changes in work practices are also sought in the confidential document, which has been seen by The Irish Times.
The document is based on several months of negotiations between unions and the Government on a programme of change and modernisation in the public service.
Unions must sign up to such a programme before receiving full payment of the increases, averaging 8.9 per cent, recommended by the benchmarking body in July.
The draft document circulated yesterday, and which is to be the subject of further negotiations this week, proposes extending use of open recruitment to the civil service. At present only jobs at executive officer level and below are subject to open, public recruitment. In recent years, the document suggests, a skills shortage in certain areas of the civil service has become "clearly evident".
"Greater use of open recruitment and improved competitive promotions are fundamental to the ongoing development of a modern and dynamic civil service."
The 36-page document seeks improvements in services to the public in a range of areas, including the health service and local government. These would include longer opening hours for public services.
It seeks commitments to a "stable industrial relations climate", an end to nine-to-five working for some staff and a breakdown of traditional demarcation lines.
