RTÉ reports that formal talks on a new public service pay agreement for the State's 340,000 employees are being overseen by the Workplace Relations Commission. Ingrid Miley said that the Government side has already warned there is very little scope for pay rises due to the additional cost of Covid-19. 

Elsewhere, the Indo reports that 300+ civil servants working in the Property Registration Authority are receiving their full salary while operating reduced hours during the pandemic.

Fórsa's Padraig Mulligan spoke to Shannonside about his concern over the lack of extra funding for mental health services in Roscommon, Mayo and Galway for the coming winter months. You can catch that here. 

While last night, the Dáil passed a major omnibus Bill with 22 parts, involving 11 Government Ministers, aimed at lessening the impact of Brexit on Ireland. ICTU, in association with the Wexford council of trade unions is hosting a webinar tonight, examining the impact of this Bill as well as other key issues workers face as a result of Brexit. Be sure to register here before noon today if you wish to attend. 

An Aer Lingus pilot, whose €387,000 defamation award by a jury was cut to €76,500 by the Court of Appeal has been awarded the costs of the jury hearing. Ballinasloe-born Captain Higgins was granted compensation last year over three defamatory emails sent by the IAA in 2013.

Yesterday was International day for the 'Elimination of violence against women.' Recent studies have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified since the advent of Covid-19. The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to end violence against women campaign is marking the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence under the global theme, “Orange the world: Fund, respond, prevent, collect!". You can participate online using the hashtags #orangetheworld, #16Days and #GenerationEquality.

Today is Thanksgiving in the States and while we don't necessarily celebrate the holiday ourselves, it can do no harm to reflect on what we're grateful for, given the year we've had. Here's a list of inspiring and motivational quotes for the day that's in it.

And finally, Grammy 2021 nominations came out earlier this week with Dublin rock band, Fontaines DC in the running for best rock album. 'A Hero’s Death' is competing against The Strokes, Grace Porter, Sturgill Simpson and Michael Kiwanuka for the title. Today's zen is the lead single from the album, which received critical acclaim after its release this summer.