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Thu 11 Nov 2002Ahern hears unions' Budget concernsThe Budget must not be allowed to undermine the gains made by workers under social partnership, union leaders told the Taoiseach yesterday. Unions and the Government, however, remain committed to negotiating a new national partnership deal to succeed the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.At yesterday's meeting with Mr Ahern and senior Cabinet colleagues, leaders of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions spelt out concerns about last week's spending Estimates. The ICTU is known to be particularly concerned about the level of funding available to deal with qualify-of-life issues including housing, transport, childcare and health.