Largest union endorses Croke Park deal

The executive of the country's largest union, SIPTU, has endorsed the public service pay and reform agreement.

Yesterday, the executive of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) unanimously decided not to recommend the Croke Park deal to its members.

Seven unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have so far opposed the Croke Park deal while four have backed it.

The future of ther deal is still uncertain, however, as the unions prepare to ballot their members on its provisions.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan  said it was disappointing that there has been rejection of the deal from many quarters.

Mr Lenihan told RTE's News at One he believed the deal offered a way forward for public servants, as it gave a certainty of no further pay cuts and no further redundancies.

[Posted: Wed 14/04/2010]