Unions warn of possible November strike as public sector pay talks stall

The Government is under mounting pressure to finalise a pay deal with public‑sector workers after unions threatened an all‑out strike on Wednesday, 11 November.

Negotiations between the parties continued at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Tuesday, with union sources describing the talks as “touch and go” and at a “critical phase”. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said if no agreement is reached, a nationwide strike could be called for 11 November, the day before the European Political Community meeting in Dublin.

ICTU chair Kevin Callinan told members that the Public Services Committee will meet on Monday for an update. If a draft agreement is not available, the union will consider a demonstration in Dublin and other major regional locations.

Callinan said discussions at the WRC have been “lengthy and at times heated” and that a draft deal remains possible, but the Government has yet to present a credible offer. Government sources noted “good engagement” on some issues but said pay remains the sticking point and that any three‑and‑a‑half‑year deal cannot be finalised until the pay element is settled.

The ongoing work‑to‑rule across the public service also meant that monthly homelessness figures could not be released on Friday, as the Department of Housing did not receive returns from the nine administrative regions.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: PROSPER MBEMBA KOUTIHOU / Pexels.