Public sector strike planned for November 12 amid EU summit

The Government faces the prospect of 300,000 public sector workers striking on Thursday, 12 November, the same day as the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Dublin.

Unions say the strike date was not moved to coincide with the EPC meeting, which will host 50 European leaders at the Convention Centre, and an informal EU leaders’ meeting on 13 November.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers warned the action will “cause significant disruption to critical services that the public rely on while this industrial relations process remains ongoing”. The strike could involve teachers, nurses, civil servants and other public staff.

An independent group comprising Kevin Foley, Oonagh Buckley and ICTU’s Owen Reidy will meet both sides on Tuesday in an attempt to break the deadlock after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission were adjourned late last Friday.

ICTU public services committee chair Kevin Callinan denied the date was chosen to target the EPC event, citing logistical reasons and a desire to vary the strike day from the previous Wednesday strike.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not confirmed whether it will seek a derogation for its staff at the summit.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: HONG SON / Pexels.