SIPTU conference to hear renewed call for pay increases
Members of SIPTU, the country’s largest trade union, will gather in Sligo today for their Biennial Delegate Conference.
The union is expected to renew calls for pay increases to reflect the rising cost of living.
The conference will run until Thursday with more than 50 motions to be debated and voted on.
Today, topics will include recognising those who worked on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic, fuel poverty, housing, mental health awareness, tackling the gender pay gap and tipping for workers in the hospitality sector.
Over the course of the four-day conference, motions will be debated on topics such as pensions, sick pay, remote working, tackling racism and climate change.
President Michael D Higgins will address the event tomorrow.
Demands for pay increases in both the public and private sector to reflect the rising cost of living are likely to feature prominently throughout the conference.
Earlier this month, SIPTU called for a review clause in the current public sector pay agreement to be invoked to respond to the pressure inflation was putting on workers.
Under ‘Building Momentum’, public sector workers received a 1% pay rise in October 2021 and will receive a further 1% rise in October 2022.
SIPTU has said that the modest pay increases under the deal have been totally eroded by the current spike in inflation.
The Government has indicated that it will respond to the impact of cost-of-living increases through the negotiation of a new public sector pay agreement, rather than through a review of the current deal.
Talks on a new public sector pay agreement are expected to begin in the coming months.
Article Source – SIPTU conference to hear renewed call for pay increases – RTE – Brian O’Donovan
