Tánaiste says new offer gives chance to avoid public sector strikes

Tánaiste Simon Harris said a “new and significantly improved offer” to public‑service unions creates a window to avert planned strike action on Thursday.

Negotiations between the unions and Government‑appointed groups concluded before lunch yesterday, after earlier expectations that talks might collapse entirely. Around 300,000 public sector workers are set to strike over a disputed pay deal.

The Government’s current proposal offers a 6.75% pay rise over two years, plus an additional 1% for local bargaining, totalling 7.75%.

When asked if Thursday’s strikes were inevitable, Harris replied that they were not, urging “intensive engagement in the hours ahead” to prevent disruption. He stressed the Government wants to pay public‑service workers more and has been “engaging and listening” with representatives.

Harris also warned of the impact on the European Political Community meeting in Dublin and on families, noting that workers would prefer to be in classrooms or hospital wards rather than on strike.

He called for all parties to move into “solution‑finding mode” and use the remaining window before Thursday to reach an agreement.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Artem Kulinych / Pexels.