UPDATE 1-Irish central bank staff to strike on Friday

* 600 staff to picket over breakdown of contract talks

* Action unrelated to public sector strike

DUBLIN, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Staff at Ireland's central bank and financial regulator will strike on Friday, three days after public sector workers downed tools in protest against government plans to cut pay in next month's budget.

The Unite trade union, which served notice on the central bank, said the one-day strike would involve 600 employees and was unrelated to Tuesday's action.

It said workers were frustrated at management's withdrawal from contract negotiations and the implementation of a state pension levy despite the institution's legal independence.

"To rub salt in the wounds of our members, it is now reported that the new Financial Regulator will be paid an annual salary of 400,000 euros," UNITE Regional Officer Brian Gallagher said in a statement.

"This represents an increase of 150,000 euros over that paid to their predecessor, and is obscene in light of the treatment of regular staff," he said, referring to media reports regarding incoming head of regulation Matthew Elderfield's salary.

In Tuesday's action, unions estimated that more than 250,000 workers joined the picket lines, with leaders warning a second day of industrial action would take place on Dec. 3 if talks with the government failed to produce an agreed alternative. [ID:nGEE5AN09X] (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Victoria Main) ((padraic.halpin@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: padraic.halpin.reuters.com@reuters.net; +353 1 500 1504))