Ireland’s Public Sector Pay Dispute Intensifies as Unions Escalate Industrial Action
Dublin: Ireland’s public sector pay dispute is intensifying, with more than 100,000 workers now engaged in work-to-rule action and further unions preparing to join the campaign.
The dispute centres on delays in reaching a new public service pay agreement following the expiry of the previous deal at the end of June. Public sector unions have accused the government of failing to make a meaningful offer on pay, while the government has said it remains willing to engage in negotiations.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), which represents primary school teachers, began work-to-rule action on Monday, while other unions have also announced industrial action. A nationwide public sector strike is planned for October 14, with further action also planned for October 21 if the dispute remains unresolved.
Minister Jack Chambers blames unions
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has criticised the unions for proceeding with industrial action rather than entering substantive negotiations.
The Department of Public Expenditure has said that the government remains ready to engage with the unions, either directly or through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Chambers has argued that significant disruption to public services is unfair to the general public and that a new public sector pay agreement should be reached through negotiation.
The minister has also said that a new public sector pay deal, along with measures addressing taxation and affordability, will be considered as part of the government’s wider budget measures.
Public sector unions, however, have said there is currently no basis for formal negotiations because they want the government to address cost-of-living concerns and put a meaningful pay proposal on the table at the outset of talks.
INTO warns of further escalation
The INTO has warned that its work-to-rule action will continue unless the government engages with public service unions in good faith.
Assistant General Secretary Máirín Ní Chéileachair said the union would escalate its action, including through a 24-hour strike on October 14, if there was no meaningful progress in talks.
The INTO has also said teachers will not provide supervision outside official school hours, where schools currently use Croke Park hours for that purpose.
Croke Park hours are additional working hours carried out by teachers outside their normal school day under arrangements arising from the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements. The union has said that responsibility for the safety of children on school premises rests with school boards of management.
The INTO said 99.5 per cent of members who voted in its industrial-action ballot supported taking action up to and including strike action. The union represents tens of thousands of teachers across the island of Ireland.
TUI members back industrial action
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has also announced industrial action, with members due to begin action from October 12.
The union said members would stop responding to emails and telephone calls outside their normal working hours as part of the initial phase of the dispute.
TUI President Anthony Quinn said the action reflected frustration over the government’s approach to negotiations on a new public sector pay agreement.
The union’s General Secretary, Michael Gillespie, has also called for meaningful talks, saying public sector unions remain united in seeking a new agreement.
ASTI joins industrial action
The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has also voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
Around 20,000 second-level teachers represented by the ASTI are due to begin initial action, including withdrawal from selected activities such as Croke Park hours, before escalating to strike action alongside other public sector unions on October 14.
The ASTI ballot resulted in 95 per cent voting in favour of industrial action, with a 56 per cent turnout.
Fórsa and INMO continue work-to-rule
Fórsa, one of Ireland’s largest public sector unions, is also involved in the industrial action. Its members in areas including local government, health and the civil service have begun work-to-rule measures.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is also taking part in the action. Its members have said they will carry out only duties and responsibilities necessary to ensure safe patient care during their rostered hours.
INMO members will not work additional unpaid hours or attend non-clinical meetings unless attendance is considered necessary for direct patient care. More than 99 per cent of INMO members who voted in the union’s ballot supported industrial action, up to and including strike action.
SIPTU members in health and local authorities are also participating in work-to-rule action, while other public sector unions have announced further measures.
The previous public service pay agreement expired on June 30. It provided for pay increases for public servants, but formal negotiations on a successor agreement have yet to begin.
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