A Public Sector Pay Deal Will Boost The Wexford Economy - Lawlor

The Minister for Public Expenditure has been accused of being "tardy" when it comes to agreeing a public sector pay deal.

Trade unions have threatened another strike next Thursday following a one day stoppage featuring thousands of workers last month.

Another day of action is planned for next week with 72% of the public saying they support the strikes.

Wexford TD for Labour George Lawlor says Jack Chambers has had time to fix this but has done nothing:

"The Government and the Department have to get the message that we need a resolution on this.

"They've been tardy enough and had two and a half years since the last deal was signed to know this one was going to expire in June and they sat on their hands.

"It's just ludicrous."

Deputy Lawlor says we can't afford to have the country shut down once again over a public sector pay deal.

300 thousand workers took to the picket line last month in a row with the Government over pay and they're threatening to do it again next week.

It is understood unions rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two and a half years.

The Wexford TD says this issue needs to be resolved before next Thursday:

"It's reputational damage at this stage, we don't want the 300 thousand workers to be out on the streets again because they last place they want to be is out on the picket line.

"The notion that we could have another nationwide one day strike next week is something we really really have to avoid."

Deputy Lawlor says boosting pay for public sector workers will also boost our local economy.

Union officials are unlikely to have anticipated settling for less than the 10.25 per cent increase they secured in the last public pay deal.

Deputy Lawlor says a pay rise for one sector is actually beneficial to us all:

"We've about 14,000 public sector workers here in Wexford and they play a pivotal role not just in the jobs they do themselves but their earnings play a pivotal role in the Wexford economy.

"If this was 14,000 workers in a factory here, we would be seeking the best deal for them because we know they would spend that money in Wexford.

"So it's vital that we get the best deal for them and the best deal for the country."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.