Dublin: Protests by public sector workers in Ireland are intensifying amid delays in reaching a new pay agreement and mounting cost-of-living pressures. Ahead of the planned strike on Wednesday, October 14, Fórsa and other trade unions have warned that industrial action could continue into the winter if the dispute remains unresolved.
More than 300,000 public sector workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil service employees, are reportedly expected to take part in the industrial action. Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the situation had reached a point where workers felt they had no alternative but to strike.
Unions argue that negotiations on a new public service pay agreement have made insufficient progress since the previous deal expired at the end of June. With rents, electricity, fuel and food prices continuing to rise, workers say their purchasing power is declining. They are seeking assurances that the loss in purchasing power will be addressed, alongside pay increases that reflect the cost of living in the years ahead.
SIPTU has also announced strike action for October 14 and 21, stating that approximately 70,000 of its public sector members are expected to participate.
The government has said that €1.2 billion has been allocated towards a new public service pay agreement in Budget 2027. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has called for a negotiated settlement, but unions maintain that the funding announced so far is insufficient to meet workers’ demands.
Rent and travel costs put pressure on nurses
In the health sector, the pay dispute has added to concerns over staff shortages, heavy workloads and the rising cost of living. A survey conducted by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) found that more than 99 per cent of respondents supported industrial action.
The INMO has highlighted the financial difficulties faced by nurses working shifts, many of whom cannot rely on public transport and must absorb rising fuel costs. High rents in cities also make it difficult for newly qualified nurses to live near major hospitals and access training opportunities.
The organisation said these pressures were compounded by growing patient demand and staff shortages across the health service.
INMO members in the public health sector have been taking part in a work-to-rule action since September 30. The action is intended to prevent unpaid overtime while ensuring that duties necessary for safe patient care are carried out during normal working hours.
The union has also said members will not participate in meetings, audits and data-collection activities that are not essential to direct patient care.
Critical days ahead for healthcare workers
SIPTU’s health division has previously given notice of a strike on October 14 involving more than 11,000 members across 30 HSE and voluntary hospitals.
The hospitals listed include major centres such as Beaumont Hospital, the Mater Hospital, St James’s Hospital, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Hospital.
The union argues that the health service cannot continue to depend on the additional efforts and voluntary cooperation of staff to maintain services. It has also warned that rising expenditure on food, fuel, rent and housing loans is placing significant pressure on healthcare workers and their families.
Healthcare assistants and care workers have been advised to check the strike notices and union instructions that apply to their own organisations. A public sector strike announcement does not automatically mean that all private nursing homes and homecare providers will be affected.
SIPTU’s announcement specifically refers to industrial action by public sector members, alongside support from members working in the private sector.
Hospital services could face disruption
The planned strike is expected to affect hospital outpatient appointments and day services, with some appointments potentially postponed or cancelled.
However, according to the information outlined in the draft, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has indicated that emergency departments, limited ambulance services, urgent cancer treatment and dialysis services will continue to operate.
Patients due to attend hospital have been advised to check official notices from their healthcare providers and confirm whether their appointments will proceed.
Unions have warned that further industrial action remains possible if negotiations fail to make progress. The prospect of continued strikes has raised concerns about additional pressure on Ireland’s health services as winter approaches.
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