The union representing lower paid civil servants has warned that their industrial action is likely to escalate if no deal on public sector pay and reform is reached at intensive talks this weekend.
Speaking as the Civil and Public Serviceds Union Conference got underway in Galway, General Sectretary Blair Horan said he thought the members would take a clear decision that if the talks do not resolve the problems, there will be an escalation.
However, he added that the CPSU was not unique in that, as he believed most unions would take that position.
Mr Horan said that members would not shut down any public counters anywhere in the public sector tomorrow.
Mr Horan said he expected the CPSU conference to focus on the current industrial dispute, not just in the Passport Office, but across the civil service.
He said the main issuue was the fact that CPSU members as lower paid civil servants had been badly treated.
He acknowledged that there had been unfortunate scenes at the Passport Office which he blamed on management's mishandling of the situation. However, he said the staff were entitled to take industrial action.
Asked whether he was confident of an overall public sector deal, he said it was in the balance.
He said the key focus for the CPSU was that the lower paid must be looked after.
He stressed that CPSU's position remained that the money taken from them in pay cuts must be returned to them this year if they are to sign up to a deal on public sector pay and reform.
Passport Office dispute
The dispute at the Passport Office will be raised at the annual conference of the CPSU in Galway.
The dispute has led to a massive backlog of passport applications with thousands of people gathering outside the office fearing their travel plans will be disrupted.
Speaking ahead of the conference, CPSU executive member Terry Kelleher said his members were losing their houses while the Government was looking after the bankers.
He said members were 'on the edge' and felt there was no choice but to take industrial action.
Yesterday, the union served protective strike notice, which could take effect in six days.
The CPSU said the move was in response to a threat to dock employees' pay if they refused to carry out their duties.
Hundreds of people had queued overnight and this morning to apply for or collect passports.
Many received their documents but others were told to come back later in the day.
There had been long delays outside the office since last week following industrial action by Civil Public and Services Union members.
