Ireland Public Sector Workers Begin Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute

Some health, education and local government workers in the Republic of Ireland have begun industrial action as part of an ongoing dispute over public sector pay.

More than 100,000 workers, including nurses, school staff and civil servants, began working to rule on Wednesday morning.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) said staff working in the public health service would perform only duties necessary for safe patient care and “will not work any additional unpaid hours”.

Two days of broader strike action have been scheduled for 14 and 21 October. Schools could be closed on those dates, while picket lines are expected to be established across the country.

The INMO said nurses and midwives participating in the work-to-rule action “will not attend non-clinical meetings, except where attendance is strictly necessary for direct patient care”.

They have been joined by Fórsa, the Republic of Ireland’s largest public sector union, after 96.6% of members who participated in an industrial ballot voted in favour of taking action.

SIPTU members representing public sector workers in health and administration have also joined the work-to-rule measures.

‘No Talks Taking Place’

Fórsa said on its website that “there are currently no talks taking place” with the Irish government over a new public sector pay agreement, following the expiration of the previous arrangement on 30 June.

The union said discussions with state employers had been delayed by what it described as the government’s “unwillingness to address cost-of-living measures at the start of any negotiations”.

“With no public service agreement in place, we are now in dispute with government, as the employer of public service workers,” Fórsa said.

SIPTU Divisional Organiser Brendan O’Brien said workers’ “goodwill” played a major role in keeping public services operating. He said the Irish government’s failure to establish a basis for formal negotiations “left our members with no alternative but to act collectively”.

O’Brien called on public service employers and the government to “engage constructively and urgently” to prevent the dispute from escalating.

What Has the Irish Government Said?

Ireland’s Department of Public Expenditure told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that unions and representative associations had chosen industrial action instead of engaging in negotiations.

A department spokesperson said it was “deeply unfair on the general public” for their daily lives to face significant disruption because unions were unwilling to engage constructively on a new agreement.

“Officials remain ready and willing to engage and that should happen without any further delay,” the spokesperson said.

The department added that meaningful progress could only be achieved if both sides remained open to “constructive and sustained engagement, without preconditions on either side”.

More Industrial Action Planned

The teaching unions Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) have confirmed that they will begin work-to-rule action on 5 October before proceeding to a full one-day strike on 14 October.

ASTI said up to 20,000 secondary school teachers would participate.

INTO, which represents a majority of primary school teachers, said it intended to hold a second one-day strike on 21 October.

Rank-and-file members of the Garda Representative Association have also announced several days of industrial action, calling for improved conditions.