Looks like Cowen has folded to the Unions!

[SKELLY]

Talks between representatives of the Government and the public sector unions are to get under way tomorrow morning in an attempt to resolve the dispute over Government pay cuts.

The breakthrough came after the Taoiseach invited officers of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to meet him, along with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and Environment Minister John Gormley.

For almost two months, angry public servants have been engaged in a work-to-rule in protest at Government pay cuts.
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While unions will not be calling off their industrial action, it is hoped that next week's planned escalation to include strikes will be deferred to allow the talks to take place.

The action is due to escalate with the threat of strikes from teachers, hospital staff, civil servants and others.

Now the Government and the unions have agreed to enter talks to explore the potential for renewed engagement.

That engagement would address the development of a comprehensive agenda for the transformation of public services and a framework for public service pay determination.

A government statement read: 'The meeting was called to explore the potential and appropriate conditions for a renewed engagement between public service unions and management, on the development of a comprehensive agenda for the transformation of public services and on a framework for public service pay determination.'

Health Sector Organiser at SIPTU Paul Bell has welcomed tonight's breakthrough.

However, he warned that the planned two-day strike, which will affect seven Dublin hospitals next month, will still go ahead.

Some 4,500 support staff are to withdraw their labour from 1am on Wednesday 7 April to 1am on Friday 9 April.

Labour Relations Chief Executive Kieran Mulvey and Director of Conciliation Kevin Foley will facilitate the negotiations.

While no firm timeframe for the talks was mentioned, sources suggested a target date of Easter might be possible, given the progress on the transformation agenda before Christmas.

RTÉ News: Breakthrough in public sector pay dispute

Does Lenny have another bluff in him?

[toughbutfair]

WHY are the government talking to unions? Arent the government supposed to be in charge of running the country?

[Baron von Biffo]

RTÉ News: Breakthrough in public sector pay dispute

Does Lenny have another bluff in him?

You thought this would be settled without both sides talking?

[The_Big_Fellow]

If the unions get more money then it is less going to bailing out failed entities such as AIB.BOI.Anglo. It allows more money to circulate in the real economy, preserving sme's and jobs and consumer demand.

[Pabilito]

You thought this would be settled without both sides talking?

Hi Brian,.. Fu..k off.. sorted!

[MPB]

Strike will be called off, as breakthrough is claimed.

2 months time Bell will get a position on the board of NAMA, problem sorted.

[bored and fussy]

i hope the government dont back down they cant back down.
but they are the employers and they must talk to their staff
but believe me if they back down and give in to the unions there will be big trouble

[bogtrotter]

WHY are the government talking to unions? Arent the government supposed to be in charge of running the country?

Not so...to me it seems that the Bankers and Developers are running the country....The Unions represent workers who make up the vast majority of the population, the Bankers/employers/developers only represent themselves, yet they seem to have a say/veto away beyond their voting numbers....Say's something about democracy, dosen't it?

[yehbut_nobut]

Cowen has obviously resorted to consulting the Fianna Fail policy guidebook (Chapter on "Emergencies: Q&A")

Q: What should be done if it looks like there might be an election, but there's a difficult problem to be dealt with?

A: Throw money at it.

[toughbutfair]

If the unions get more money then it is less going to bailing out failed entities such as AIB.BOI.Anglo. It allows more money to circulate in the real economy, preserving sme's and jobs and consumer demand.

Yet another PS supporter who cannot justify us spending 25bn more than we make without saying NAMA, BANKS,DEVELOPERS.

How can you justify spending about 55bn (which excludes NAMA and bank capitalisations) when we only make 30bn?