SIPTU, the country's largest trade union, says its members across the private sector are to seek pay increases to match the rising costs of living and will re-negotiate existing pay deals which fall short of inflation.
The union says that its members in more than 2,500 companies across Ireland will urgently seek minimum rises in line with the rate of inflation which is forecast to reach 8% over the coming weeks and months.
"In negotiations with employers across the economy, our members will seek increases that will offset the sharp rise in the costs of living in Ireland," said SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack.
"We are aware that some businesses may not be able to afford the increases required to meet inflation and do not intend to place them in further financial difficulty with unsustainable pay claims."
"However, we have also witnessed gouging over recent months which is unjustified and which suggests that there are business people who are raising prices above the inflation rate solely to increase profits at the expense of their customers," he added.
In February, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions advised private sector unions to seek pay increases of between 2.5% and 5.5%.
Last month, the President of ICTU Kevin Callinan said that the guidance may soon be revised upwards because of soaring inflation.
