The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has warned that cost of living must be the main focus of upcoming public sector pay talks. The union’s general secretary, John Boyle, said that while the available funds for pay increases were limited, the cost of living had risen significantly in recent years, affecting teachers’ living standards. The INTO has called for the planned restoration of pay cuts suffered by teachers during the financial crisis to be accelerated. Union representatives have also highlighted the issue of teachers leaving Ireland to work abroad due to better pay and lifestyle opportunities.
Inflation in Ireland is currently at 2.2%, with the cost of rent and housing, childcare, and healthcare cited as being particularly high. The INTO stated that the closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic may have remote effects on its members’ pay levels. The union has suggested that some teachers, particularly those on temporary or substitute contracts, may have earned less than what would have been originally agreed due to school closures.
Unions across the public sector have warned that pay talks will be challenging due to the government’s commitment to keeping public spending under control. Trade unions will seek above-inflation pay increases, which cannot exceed the public sector’s pay bill by more than €900 million. While the government has not yet decided on a specific allocation for wage increases, it is expected that any pay increases will be tied to productivity and linked to specific reforms.
The government has agreed to enter into pay talks with public sector unions in a bid to address the issue of labour market competition from abroad. However, the talks are expected to be lengthy and difficult, with unions warning that they will not accept below-inflation pay negotiations. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has already indicated that it may consider strike action if their demands for improved pay and conditions are not met during the discussions.
The cost of living has previously been a contentious issue for public sector workers and has resulted in several strikes in recent years. Teachers and nurses have been among the most vocal in their demands for improved pay and conditions, with the INMO previously staging a series of strikes in 2019 to demand better pay and working conditions. The INTO has similarly called for improved pay and conditions for teachers and has raised concerns about a shortage of teachers due to low pay.
In conclusion, public sector pay talks in Ireland must prioritize the issue of cost of living, according to teachers’ union, the INTO. With inflation at 2.2%, and the cost of rent, housing, childcare, and healthcare cited as being particularly high, unions across the public sector are seeking above-inflation pay increases. However, the government’s commitment to keeping public spending under control is expected to make negotiations difficult. The INTO has highlighted the issue of teachers leaving Ireland to work abroad due to better pay and lifestyle opportunities and has called for the planned restoration of pay cuts suffered by teachers during the financial crisis to be accelerated.
