Membership ballots of general union Siptu and teachers union INTO have decisively rejected the proposed new 3 year agreement between the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Irish Government. The proposals would lead to longer working hours, an increment freeze, pay cuts for higher earners and other detrimental measures. Previously the Government had threatened to impose cuts through legislation and - given the failure to secure sufficient workforce consent for a €1 billion reduction in the public services pay bill - such an approach could lead to unprecedented levels of industrial action after years of social partnership in Ireland:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/public-sector-pay-deal-collapses-as-siptu-votes-against-proposals-1.1361868
