Concession bargaining divides Irish public service unions

A new 3 year agreement between the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Irish Government will lead to longer working hours, an increment freeze, pay cuts for higher earners and other detrimental measures. The Government had threatened to impose cuts through legislation but will now secure a €1 billion reduction in the public services pay bill - if a majority of unions back the package in upcoming membership ballots:
http://www.lrc.ie/documents/2013/LRC%20Proposals%20_FINAL.pdf

However, the proposals have sharply divided the Irish public service unions with a number of them walking out of the talks and are now calling on members to reject the proposals.

UNISON's sister union IMPACT is recommending the deal as the best possible negotiated outcome and says that sustained industrial action will be required to resist the imposition threatened by politicians in the event of rejection.