Public Sector Workers Plan Strike As Pay Talks Stall

Public sector employees are set to walk off the job for 24 hours on Thursday, November 12, after trade unions rejected a government pay proposal. The strike aligns with the first of two European Council meetings scheduled for that week, a period of high visibility for Ireland’s current EU Presidency. A central demonstration will take place in Dublin, with smaller rallies planned in towns across the country.

The dispute centers on a pay offer that unions describe as lacking credibility. The government proposal outlines a 7.75% increase spread over a two-and-a-half-year period. Under these terms, wages would rise by 1.75% starting November 1, followed by further increases in 2027 and 2028 that align with a 5% target. Union leaders argued that the staged approach does not provide a sufficient immediate boost to public sector salaries.

Kevin Callinan, General Secretary of Fórsa and Chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Public Services Committee, told RTÉ Radio that the government's offer was not credible. His comments reflect the frustration within the union ranks after negotiations reached a standstill. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and other bodies have confirmed their intent to maintain pressure until a satisfactory deal is reached.

Negotiations entered a new phase yesterday when the government and unions began talks with an independent body. Kevin Foley, Chair of the Workplace Relations Commission, headed this group. The Department of Public Expenditure stated that the process has started, with both sides requesting time to consider the matters under discussion. Officials said they would remain available to engage intensively and constructively to resolve the issue without undue delay.

The impasse forced the adjournment of earlier talks on Friday night. Reports indicated that unions formally rejected the 7.75% package at that time. This latest standoff follows a previous 24-hour strike last month, which involved more than 300,000 public sector workers. That earlier action was a direct response to delays in finalizing a new pay sector agreement.

As the strike date approaches, unions have warned that work to rule action is already occurring across the public sector. They indicated that this measure could intensify if the dispute remains unresolved. The threat of further industrial action looms over the next few days as the government and unions prepare for the upcoming round of separate consultations with the independent mediation body today.