Statement from the Executive Committee

IFUT Executive advises acceptance of the pay proposal “Building Momentum” Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2023

 

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Irish Federation of University Teachers on Saturday 24th September, representatives present considered the proposal in detail.  This proposal was issued by the Workplace Relations Commission last month following negotiations between the Government and the ICTU's Public Services Committee.  Click Here to view the proposal.

 

IFUT is a member of the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.  Together with our sister unions, this Committee represents over 90% of Ireland’s public sector workers.  In the context of the rising cost of living and inflation, the Trade Unions invoked the Building Momentum Agreement review clause in March 2022.  Arising from this review a set of proposals were agreed in August which include additional pay increases for members in 2022 and increases in 2023.  When the additional increases are taken into account, members’ pay would increase by a minimum of 9.5% during the period covered by Building Momentum (2021 – 2023).

 

The current proposal advances the ethos of previous public service agreements which prioritised the pay of lower and middle-income earners by utilising flat rate pay increases for this cohort.

 

The Executive Committee recognise that the proposal does not fully alleviate the impact of inflation and the rise in energy costs faced by members.  However, if accepted, the proposal would bring a degree of certainty to members and their financial situation.

 

In addition to the measures contained in the proposal, we expect the Government to make good on their promise that economy-wide cost-of-living supports would accompany this proposal.  These are expected in the upcoming Budget and the Labour-Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) (Ireland's national forum for social dialogue between unions, employers and Government).

 

After careful consideration and scrutiny of the proposal, and taking into account the views of the membership as expressed by our Council, the Executive Committee advises that IFUT members should vote to accept these proposals. In this regard, a secret ballot vote will be held from Tuesday, 27th September to Thursday, 6thOctober.

The Ballot will be an electronic Ballot.  Each member will receive an e-mail with a secure voting link and voting instructions from our professional online voting partner Mi-Voice.  If you don't receive your e-mail from Mi-Voice in the coming days, don't hesitate to get in contact e: support@mi-voice.com or phone: +35315133293.

 

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