Talks between the Government and public sector unions on a deal which could see a restoration of money cut from public servants’ pay in return for major work practice changes have resumed today
Failure to achieve a deal is likely to result in increased disruption to public services, including the implementation of a full scale strike at the Passport Office in Dublin.
If a deal emerges, it is likely to involve staff agreeing to co-operate with widespread transformation of public services in return for receiving back money, some of it lost as result of pay cuts announced in last December’s budget, some deducted earlier through the pension levy. However, the amount of money to be recouped and the timescale involved have not yet been addressed.
Delegates to the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) annual conference voted yesterday to allow members at the Passport Office to go on strike “in the event that the talks fail to deliver for the lower paid”. They also decided that staff at that office must be consulted by the union on any deal with the Government.
The Government is unlikely to table specific proposals on pay until it establishes that agreement can be reached on the verifiable implementation of widescale reforms in public sectors such as health, education, local authorities and the Civil Service.
Key issues in the talks are expected to include plans for outsourcing of work and the introduction of provision to redeploy staff within the Civil Service and public sector.
Last night, health service unions and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Department of Health management were still in discussions. The trade union Siptu had raised objections in recent days to key management proposals for an expanded working day from 8am to 8pm, and for the facility to roster staff on five in any seven days. Siptu has contended these proposals could have far-reaching consequences for its members.
The union says it is also concerned about plans by some Dublin hospitals to examine the possibility of out-sourcing services such as cleaning, catering and portering.
The CPSU, which represents lower-paid staff, has raised concerns about proposed reviews of family-friendly work practices.
Top-level negotiators are due to hold plenary talks this afternoon in what is expected to be the start of a series of intensive negotiations over the weekend.
Most of the unions are seeking a restoration of pay rates over time and the CPSU wants the money to be repaid by the end of the year. The unions are also looking for guarantees against further pay cuts and on job security, and assurances about pensions for existing staff.
The Government has ruled out any reversal of the pay cuts this year. It has insisted a reform programme in the public service is vital and some Ministers have warned that if this is not delivered there could be further pay cuts.
The unions have contended billions of euro could be generated as part of a transformation of the public service. It is expected it would be from these savings that any money to be given back to staff would be drawn.
It is expected the unions would insist the Government would have to agree to a process for securing the restoration of pay rates containing specific milestones and dates for implementation. The Government is likely to want to include some form of “get-out-of-jail-card” to extricate itself from any commitments in the event of any unforeseen international economic shocks or a sudden downturn in exchequer receipts.