The general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that the new partnership agreement recognises that economic and social progress must go together.
Speaking on RTÉ's 'This Week' programme, David Begg said he is satisfied that the agreement, which includes a 10% pay rise over 27 months, is a good deal for workers.
But the executive of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) is advising its members to reject the National Partnership Agreement.
TUI President Paddy Healy says the pay rises are not big enough and that the deal would result in an increasing workload on teachers and lecturers.
The recommendation will be put to TUI members on Monday week ahead of a ballot.
The deal, called 'Towards 2016', was agreed between negotiators for unions, employers and the Government on Thursday.
Meanwhile, talks over the agricultural element of the new national partnership agreement adjourned at Government buildings last night.
Farmers are said to be looking for a €7.7 billion package to ensure that existing supports are maintained over the next seven years.
It is believed that the Government has offered more than €5.5 billion.
