Sir, – The truth of your report "Ireland heading to US Levels of Income Inequality" (February 16th) will surely come closer to fruition if the 5 per cent pay increase proposedby SIPTU is granted.
Under its terms, a person earning €100,000 would gain €5,000 per annum, while the worker on €20,000, would gain a mere €1,000. Wage increases based on percentages under successive national wage agreements have largely contributed to our inequalities due to their compounding effect.
If any wage increase is to be considered would it not be more just to allow the same sum to all workers, or else a sliding percentage scale weighted heavily in favour of the lower paid? – Yours, etc, WILLIAM J SILKE Grattan Road, Galway.