LEADERS of the trade unions and employers' organisations began the opening session of negotiations on a new national agreement with senior Government officials in Government Buildings yesterday.
Representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Business Employers' Confederation and the Construction Industry Federation are believed to have discussed the timetables and agenda for the talks without entering substantive negotiations.
After the meeting the director-general of IBEC, Mr John Dunne, warned that the proposed 7 per cent increase in public spending for next year was a cause for real concern.
Government officials will meet representatives of the community and voluntary sector today.
