Unions and Government return to independent group talks on pay dispute
Unions and Government Return to Independent Group Talks Over Public Sector Pay Dispute
Trade unions and Government representatives are continuing engagement with an independent group in a bid to find a pathway to talks on the ongoing public sector pay dispute, rte.ie reported. Meetings with the Government-appointed group, chaired by Workplace Relations Commission Chair Kevin Foley, were adjourned last night.
The renewed engagement comes just days after unions announced plans for a 24-hour strike scheduled for Thursday, November 12. Tánaiste Simon Harris stated yesterday that a particularly important window is available over the weekend to resolve the dispute.
Impasse Reached Over Rejected Pay Offers
Unions have accused the Government of failing to make a credible offer on pay. More than 300,000 public sector workers went on strike last month after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission adjourned last Friday night, with unions declaring that a significant impasse had been reached.
Workers rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two and a half years. General Secretary of Fórsa and Chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Public Services Committee Kevin Callinan stated that workers are looking for a better deal than the last public sector pay agreement, which was worth 10.25% over two and a half years and expired at the end of June.
Demonstrations Planned Across Eight Counties
Unlike last month’s work stoppage, workers participating in the November 12 strike will be encouraged to march in rallies rather than stage pickets outside their workplaces. Eight demonstrations will take place across the country from 12 pm to 2 pm.
The largest demonstration will take place in Dublin, coinciding with a major meeting of world leaders in the capital as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency. The Dublin rally is expected to involve striking workers marching from O’Connell Street to Government Buildings, subject to logistics currently being finalized.
Extensive road closures and traffic restrictions will accompany the European summit in Dublin. Additional rallies are scheduled for counties Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, alongside Tullamore and Letterkenny.
Escalation Plans Beyond Next Week
Following next week’s strike, unions intend to intensify work-to-rule actions already underway across the public sector and evaluate further industrial action. Kevin Callinan indicated that future action may take the form of rolling strikes in individual sectors of the public service.
Delays in agreeing to a new public sector pay deal led to a 24-hour strike involving more than 300,000 workers, setting the stage for the ongoing standoff as the independent group resumes its work over the weekend.