To:    Branch Officers/Nurse Representatives/Hospital Committees

From:  Liam Doran, General Secretary

Re:  Public Sector Pay - Summary of ICTU Position

Dear Member

I attach, below, a very brief summary of the submission, from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, made to government, last week, with regard to how, through social partnership, the country should deal with the current economic difficulties.

The full text of this document can be downloaded from the breaking news section of our website (www.INO.ie).

As you can see the ICTU has identified four key priorities at this time namely:

• reflate the economy and maximise employment;
• get credit flowing again;  
• stabilise the public finances; and 
• address competitiveness in a holistic fashion.

You will then see that Congress goes on to identify a range of specific initiatives, which it believes are required at this time, to ensure that we regain growth, in the economy, while looking after those who are vulnerable, at this time, and protect employment as far as possible.

You are asked to study both this summary, and indeed the full document, in order to increase your awareness of the ICTU approach, to the current difficulties, which is in stark contrast to the many public comments, in the media, to the effect that can be done, at this time, is to cut the pay of all workers.

Thank you for your attention to this note.

Yours sincerely

LIAM DORAN
General Secretary