Trade union activists opposed to the proposed new national wage agreement have warned that what they called yesterday's slash and burn Budget will harden opposition to the pay deal.
Representatives from UNITE, the CPSU, ASTI and SIPTU - some of them speaking in a personal capacity - said the proposed deal would not deliver wage increases to keep pace with inflation.
Describing yesterday's Budget as the budget of a thousand cuts, they told a news conference that workers, particularly the low paid, would be badly hit by a 1% income levy, as well as VAT, fuel and food increases.
UNITE Regional Organiser Brendan Ogle said partnership had not delivered for workers, and it was time to return to local bargaining to secure better terms and conditions in direct negotiations with employers.
He said that where businesses faced financial difficulties, workers would be prepared to make hard decisions.
However, he said, where enterprises were doing well - adding that some were doing well despite the downturn - employees were entitled to their fair share.
Hundreds of thousands of trade union members are currently balloting on the wage agreement.
Later today, SIPTU's national executive will decide whether to recommend acceptance or rejection to members.
