The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has promised to address SIPTU concerns about the protection of employment standards from a "race to the bottom" as the economy expands.
In a speech yesterday, which was being read by union sources as a serious attempt to woo SIPTU back to talks on a new national pay deal, Mr Ahern said he believed the promotion of workers' rights could be balanced with the objectives of a dynamic, competitive economy.
In addition, he said, commitments regarding engagement with the unions on change in the aviation and bus transport sectors would be honoured.
The Taoiseach's comments followed a speech by SIPTU president Mr Jack O'Connor in Galway on Monday in which the union official said SIPTU would require a clear indication that the Government would address "deteriorating standards" of employment across a number of sectors before returning to talks.
The Taoiseach said Mr O'Connor's remarks would be studied, and he reiterated a commitment given some weeks ago to engage with the unions on measures to address their concerns regarding the protection of standards of employment and the avoidance of a "race to the bottom".
Speaking at the opening of offices of the Swords Fingal Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr Ahern said he agreed with the reported comments of Mr O'Connor that the challenge faced by social partnership was that of reconciling the objective of a dynamic, competitive economy with that of fairness and promotion of workers' rights and interests in the workplace.
Mr Ahern said he shared the belief that this could be achieved in addressing challenges such as the upskilling of the workforce and the attainment of higher productivity across the economy.
The Taoiseach added that he believed the best interests of workers and the community as a whole would be served by the full engagement of SIPTU in the discussions on pay as envisaged under the terms of Sustaining Progress.
A successful conclusion to these talks, together with the completion of the process agreed for the other issues raised by Mr O'Connor, represented the best prospect for securing the interests of SIPTU members and of workers generally, Mr Ahern said.
In his Galway speech, Mr O'Connor also said negotiations would have to take place in the context of projected economic growth of 3.7 per cent this year and 4.5 per cent in 2005, as well as inflation.
SIPTU withdrew from talks last month on a new 18-month pay agreement, to cover the second half of the three-year Sustaining Progress partnership agreement, because of comments made by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, about the liberalisation of bus routes and the break-up of Aer Rianta.
A cumulative pay increase of 7.2 per cent was agreed for the first 18 months of the agreement, which ends on July 1st.
