Union warns on 'quick fix' pay cuts

CUTS TO public service wages must not be used as a "quick fix" to shore up the economy, Siptu president Jack O'Connor has said.

He was speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday following suggestions from Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan that public service pay may have to be cut.

Mr O'Connor said those who did well during the boom years should contribute to the recovery of the economy and that pay cuts for public servants were not the solution to reverse the deficit in the State's finances.

"This is not going to fix anything. This is just a quick fix at the expense of the people we provide services for and what it's about is ensuring that those who relied on the quick buck over the last 10 years and wrecked our economy get away with contributing nothing."

Unions are to take part in renewed partnership talks with the Government in the coming days. The State's largest unions, Siptu and Impact, have been reluctant to say whether they will refuse to row back on national pay agreements finalised last autumn, and have said they have not been told pay is on the agenda for the talks.

Impact general secretary Peter McLoone said he did not want to pre-empt the talks, but he could not see the validity of the Government seeking another pay pause so soon after last September's agreement.

"We've been talking to them for the last while and the issue of pay and income has not been mentioned."

Mr McLoone said there have been no indications that a pay deferral or pause would be part of the forthcoming discussions.

"The proposal was voted on a couple of months ago and they got agreement for an 11 month pay pause which will bring us up to the end of September this year," Mr McLoone said.