Public sector workers are set to strike again next week after unions expressed discontent over delays in agreeing a new pay deal.
Plans for a 24-hour strike have been announced by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) for Thursday, November 12.
On Monday, the committee met and decided that the government has yet to make a credible offer to resolve the current dispute.
The planned strike is set to mirror the same action taken by workers across Ireland on Wednesday, October 14.
Friday night saw talks on a public sector pay deal adjourned without agreement, with union leaders now collectively deciding to strike again.
During Monday’s meeting, there was reportedly a lot of anger in the room, according to lead union negotiator Kevin Callinan.
He added that this quickly turned into quiet determination among the leaders and a decision was made.
The strike was originally expected to happen on Wednesday, November 11, though it was moved to a day later for ‘logistical reasons’.
November 12 is set to see the first of two meetings of European leaders in Dublin as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency, though Callinan said this was not why the strike was moved.
Like the previous one, the strike will see a demonstration in Dublin and smaller rallies around the country.
However, the unions have confirmed that they will be meeting with a government-appointed group on Tuesday and remain open for meaningful talks.
Unions’ Statement
In a statement, they said: ‘Public service unions remain available for discussions and will meet the Government Appointed Group tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3.
‘Preparations are now under way for a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday, November 12. A rally in Dublin, alongside regional rallies, will mark the strike action and bring members together in support of a resolution.
‘Unions will also discuss intensifying the current work-to-rule action and further industrial action beyond November 12, as arrangements for the rallies continue.’
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has asked that a government-appointed group comes in to help with the stalled pay talks.
Government Response
Jack Chambers recently thanked the WRC for its role in supporting the discussions, while saying that he recognised the efforts of all parties over the past few weeks.
He said that the government is committed to agreeing a fair pay deal for public sector workers that is affordable and sustainable for the country.
On Monday, Chambers stated: ‘It is extremely regrettable that ICTU have chosen to escalate matters further by announcing a strike day for November 12.
‘This will cause significant disruption to critical services that the public rely on while this industrial relations process remains ongoing.’
Opposition Support
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin spokeswoman on Public Expenditure Mairéad Farrell said that the failure to secure a pay deal is an ‘abject failure of leadership’.
She said: ‘The collapse of these talks will come as a profound disappointment for the nurses, teachers, SNAs and other public sector workers who desperately need the Government to listen to their concerns and deliver a fair pay deal.
‘Our public sector workers do not want to be on strike, but they have been left with no other choice.’
