Public sector strike averted after Government‑union pay deal

A major public sector strike scheduled for Thursday has been called off after the Government and union leaders reached a new pay agreement.

The draft deal, agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission in the early hours, offers over 300,000 public workers pay rises totalling 10.75% over its two‑year‑nine‑month term, running until March 2029.

Under the proposal, employees will receive 2% back‑pay – a minimum of €1,200 back‑dated to 1 September – and a further 1% local‑bargaining increase to be applied in the next public pay settlement. The lower‑pay threshold will rise from €50,000 to €60,000, potentially delivering more than an 18% rise for some staff.

The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has formally recommended suspending the nationwide strike, allowing affiliate unions to consider the draft and ballot members. Planned school closures, hospital appointment cancellations and office shutdowns have therefore been halted.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers welcomed the “fiscally sustainable” deal, saying it provides certainty for workers, the Government and taxpayers, and supports reform, digital transformation and greater service flexibility. He added the Government will seek formal approval and hopes union members will endorse the agreement, noting the minimum effective increase is 11.3% due to compounding.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Lajos Kristóf Kántor / Pexels.