Private sector unions should seek pay rises of between 2.5% and 5% in 2016, the Congress Private Sector Committee has advised.
In a briefing issued to all affiliates, Congress said that based on analysis conducted by the Nevin Institute and on "prevailing conditions" in the sector that "unions should be in a position to seek pay adjustments in 2016 in the range of 2.5% to 5%."
It also urged unions to give consideration to seeking the Living Wage, which is currently fixed at €11.50 per hour.
Payment of the Living Wage is a key component of the Congress Charter for Fair Conditions at Work, on which Congress has been campaigning in recent months.
Over 100 TDs and MEPs have already pledged support for the Charter, while a number of city and county councils have also passed motions in support of itas provisions.
A full listing of those who have pledged support will be available in the coming weeks.
Drawing on NERI research, the Congress Private Sector Committee briefing noted that: "Average hourly earnings were €21.46 in the third quarter of 2015, compared with €21.02 during the same period in 2014. This represents an increase of 2.1% over the year."
