SIPTU has called for the review clause of the public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, to be invoked due to inflation and the rising cost of living.

The trade union said its members across health services, local government, education and other state sectors received a pay increase under 2021-22 public service deal that has now been "totally eroded" by inflation, currently measured at 5.6%.

"In voting for the agreement, SIPTU members accepted modest pay increases and some further progress on the restoration of austerity cutbacks imposed in 2013," said John King, SIPTU deputy general secretary.

"These increases have now been totally eroded by the current spike in the rate of inflation and associated rises in the cost of living, which are likely to continue for a longer period of time than initially projected."

Public sector workers received a 1% pay rise in October 2021 as part of the deal and are slated to receive another 1% raise this October.

In Association with

King continued: "The Public Service Agreement provides for a review where it is evident that the assumptions underlying its terms and proposals have significantly altered.

"The current rate of inflation at 5.6% and the dramatic price rises in fuel, electricity, food and accommodation, along with other living costs, certainly meet the threshold for the review clause to be invoked."

In February, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions advised unions with members in the private sector to seek pay increases of between 2.5% and 5.5% in line with the rate of inflation.

ICTU's private sector committee also called on the government to relax the small benefits exemption rules to allow employers to give workers non-cash vouchers worth up to €1,000 to "cushion" staff from high prices.

Under the exemption, employers can currently give employees once-off vouchers worth up to €500 each year.

"It is important that workers' living standards are protected and employers and government must play their part," said general secretary Patricia King. "Congress will be keeping this matter under continuous review."

Meanwhile, dockers represented by the union have urged transport minister Eamon Ryan and Dublin Port to turn away the oil tanker, the STI Clapham, which is carrying a cargo of oil from Russia and is due to arrive at the port on Saturday March 12.

SIPTU divisional organiser Karan O Loughlin stated: “Given the unfolding horror in Ukraine as the invasion by Russian forces aggressively proceeds, our members and other workers who are expected to unload this vessel are angry and upset at being put in this position. 

“It is unconscionable to accept this cargo in the present circumstances. Ireland is a militarily neutral country but that does not mean we cannot help the victims of this unjust and unnecessary war by extending our solidarity in other ways. 

“Dublin Port is wholly owned by the state, so the government has the authority to refuse entry for this vessel," O Loughlin added.

(Pic: Getty Images)