Private sector unions and employers' groups are meeting to discuss the second phase of the Sustaining Progress agreement.
The groups, meeting at Government Buildings, have formally begun the next round of pay negotiations under the current national plan. The first part of the Sustaining Progress agreement runs out this month.
On his way into the talks, ICTU General Secretary David Begg said the recovery in the economy allowed for ‘the foot to be taken off the brake’ and a fair pay award to be made.
But IBEC's Director General said those who believed the Celtic Tiger times were back were wide off the mark.
Both unions and the Government face a tight deadline as the pay element of the present agreement runs out at the end of this month.
