Schools and hospitals to be hit as tens of thousands set to strike

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan (centre) speaking at Fórsa headquarters in Dublin. Members of Ireland's largest public sector union have voted overwhelmingly in support of industrial action, as have unions representing health workers and teachers. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA

Widespread strikes outside of schools and hospitals are expected to proceed as unions have rejected an invitation by public expenditure minister Jack Chambers to negotiate a new pay deal.

The strike on Wednesday will see thousands of schools across the country close as teachers take up pickets at the front gates.

Pickets are planned for the vast majority of schools across the country.

On Monday, primary school teachers were told the Government's "failure to deliver meaningfully" for workers in Budget 2027 failed to change the trajectory of the public sector pay dispute.

In a message to its 50,000 members, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said: "Government plans to impose a six-month public sector pay freeze in the second half of 2026 and allow for only 2.5% of an increase next year, even though the ESRI is forecasting wage growth of 4.1% in 2027 across the Irish economy.

After-school programmes affected

"This confirms that the Cabinet has clearly failed to grasp how state employees are struggling to make ends meet."

The closure of schools is set to have knock-on effects for after-school programmes. Sherpa Kids, which provides services in 130 schools, has told parents that most of its services will be impacted on Wednesday.

A spokesperson said staff will not cross picket lines, while parents will not be refunded for the fees for the day.

"As Sherpa Kids continues to incur its normal operating costs and will pay staff for their scheduled hours during the industrial action, normal fees will apply," the spokesman said.

Health unions representing therapists, nurses, midwives, doctors, and social workers, among others, will join the day of action.

HSE: Non-urgent hospital appointments cancelled 

The HSE has already said all non-urgent appointments will be cancelled, including community services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs). It has advised that emergency services will remain open, although the ambulance service will operate on a curtailed basis.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said this is the first public service strike since 2009. She called on members to “show up and take part in picket duties” as well as supporting those organising the protests.

Nurses’ concerns “haven’t been heard properly by Government”, she said on Monday.

'Don't pass the picket from your kitchen table'

Strike action is also expected to impact college and university campuses across the country as members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers and Unite take part in planned action.

It is understood that Atlantic Technological University has made the decision to close its campus on Wednesday, while the remainder of public higher education institutions are set to formalise their decisions on Tuesday.

Ports and prisons affected 

Port workers, civil servants, and prison officers will all be participating in the strike.

Unions have told members that working from home during the strike would be considered the equivalent of crossing a picket line.

“For the avoidance of any doubt — working from home on October 14 or October 21 is the equivalent of crossing the picket line. You will be breaking the strike,” said Siptu educational trade organiser Cathie Shiels.

“Management are asking workers to work from home for their benefit, not for ours. So it’s very important that we stand together, stay strong, and don’t pass the picket from your kitchen table.”

• Jess Casey, Education Correspondent
• Niamh Griffin, Health Correspondent
• Alex Cunningham, News/Feature Reporter 

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