A national protest next month over redundancy payment levels has received the backing of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Tens of thousands of union members are expected to leave their workplaces on the afternoon of Friday, October 4th, to take part in protests across the State.
At a meeting of its executive yesterday, ICTU said it agreed with the demands of the unions which are organising the rallies.
The Congress president, Mr Joe O'Toole, and general secretary Mr David Begg, will speak at the demonstration in Dublin, which takes place in Smithfield.
Rallies will also take place at designated locations throughout the State.
The action is being organised to demand an increase in statutory redundancy payments, which currently provide for half-a-week's pay per year of service for workers aged under 41, and a week's pay for every year of service over that age.
It was sparked by the refusal of a number of firms, including the Irish Glass Bottle Company in Dublin, and Peerless Rugs in Athy, Co Kildare, to pay redundancy terms recommended by the Labour Court.
