Pay deal gets backing of lecturers, medics and clerical staff

DOCTORS, nurses, university lecturers and public service clerical workers have accepted the new public pay deal.

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) voted to 93pc in favour of the Public Services Stability Agreement (PSSA), while support within the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) ran to 85pc.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) voted 75pc in favour, slightly ahead of 72pc in the Civil Public & Services Union (CPSU).

The deal now looks certain to be ratified at a meeting of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on Monday, although two teacher unions have voted against – and the third is recommending rejection because of its failure to end two-tier pay rates.

Because it is deemed a collective agreement, the benefits of the deal will apply to members of unions that vote against it, although if they “repudiate” it by refusing to do certain duties they could be at risk.

IMO president Dr Ann Hogan said there remained serious concerns in relation to recruitment and retention of doctors.

An INMO spokesperson said it would be seeking talks on the failure to recruit and retain enough nurses. IFUT general secretary Joan Donegan said it negotiated a number of additional agreements and understandings on issues affecting third-level education.

CPSU general secretary Eoin Ronayne said while the PSSA went a considerable way to restoring pay “our members remain angry over the imposition of the unpaid additional hours which were not addressed in the deal”.