Talks to continue over dispute on public sector pay deal

Trade unions and Government representatives will hold further separate talks today with an independent body in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute over public sector pay.

Engagement began yesterday with a Government appointed group chaired by Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Chair Kevin Foley.

A spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure said the process remains under way, with both parties asked to undertake further consideration of the matters being discussed.

"Officials will continue to make themselves available to engage intensively and constructively in this process, with a view to resolving matters without undue delay," the department said.

On Monday, unions announced plans for a 24-hour strike on Thursday 12 November.

They have accused the Government of failing to make a credible offer on pay.

Talks at the WRC were adjourned on Friday night with unions saying that a significant impasse had been reached.

It is understood unions rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two and a half years.

This would include a 1.75% increase from 1 November 2026.

There would then be a series of pay increases over the course of 2027 and 2028 totalling 5%.

A further 1% would be allocated for local bargaining, which allows for pay issues to be addressed involving specific roles and grades.

General Secretary of Fórsa and Chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Public Services Committee Kevin Callinan said the offer from the Government for a pay deal was "not credible".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said his members were "struggling" due to the increased cost of living, under resourcing at work and increased demands.

"The Government side has proposed a 30-month agreement so that it would run until the end of 2028. All the risk in relation to inflation is on our side. It's on the upside.

"So, what they have proposed when you consider the fact that this took place against a very serious dispute, a strike on the 14 October, very clear messages from our members about what they required.

"We believe that the offer that was put is not credible," he said.

The strike on Thursday week will coincide with the first of two meetings of European leaders due to take place as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

There will be a demonstration in Dublin and smaller rallies around the country as part of the strike.

After the work stoppage, unions said they will intensify the work-to-rule action that is already under way across the public sector and look at taking further industrial action.

Asked what could be done to avoid next week's strike, Mr Callinan said "We need the Government to hear, not just listen, but hear what our members said on the picket lines.

"They're struggling with the cost of living in terms of their day-to-day realities. They're struggling at work often as a result of under resourcing, often as a result of increased demand."

Delays in agreeing to a new public sector pay deal led to a 24-hour strike by more than 300,000 public sector workers last month.

Public sector workers including teachers, nurses and doctors, took part in the strike on 14 October - in the biggest day of national strike action since the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash.

A second planned strike was suspended to allow for talks, however industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule is continuing.