The head of one of Northern Ireland's largest public sector unions has said that public sector pay has to be the priority for the incoming Executive.
NIPSA has 45,000 members across the civil service and health and education sectors.
Its General Secretary Carmel Brady said called on the new government to release the money that has been made available immediately.
A £3.3 billion financial package is now available following the restoration of power-sharing over the weekend.
It is understood around £600million of that could go to start addressing the public sector pay claim.
"We need immediately for that to be handed over to Departments, to allow them begin negotiations with trade unions.
"We haven't seen the detail of any of the money yet. We don't know if there's enough so that has to be the priority", said Ms Brady.
She said unions had a "grave concern" there will not be enough money, but said they would keep the pressure on.
"We don't want to be in battle with the Assembly as soon as they take up post, but that may be the case and NIPSA stands ready to do that.
"We can't take our foot off the pedal now, the action trade unionists have taken has brought public service pay to the top of the agenda. It needs to stay there.
"And that has to be the key priority for the incoming Executive", she said.
The new Health Minister has already got to work ahead of tomorrow's first Executive meeting.
Robin Swann has written to trade unions inviting them to early discussions on pay.
He said that pay was his immediate priority and he wanted to see negotiations initiated without delay.
