Strike will 'absolutely' go ahead next week, say public sector union leaders

Deputy general secretary of Siptu Adrian Kane, Forsa general secretary Kevin Callinan,INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha, and Irish National Teachers' Organisation general secretary John Boyle. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Public sector trade union leaders have said another strike will “absolutely” go ahead next week.

Behind-the-scenes efforts are continuing to avert further widespread disruption next Wednesday, with minister Helen McEntee suggesting the Government is prepared to offer an "above-inflation pay rise" to public sector workers.

Public expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said he hoped to “shortly” provide further details on a negotiation framework, insisting that the Government is “ready” to start negotiations.

“I hope to be able to provide further details shortly as part of an agreed way forward,” Mr Chambers said.

But last night, Fórsa trade union chief Kevin Callinan said strike action next week will “absolutely” go ahead.

“We had a meeting of our public services committee officers this afternoon. That was really about planning for next Wednesday,” Mr Callinan said.

He called for a “whole of Government” approach to address the concerns of public sector workers.

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Earlier, foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee signalled the Government’s willingness to give public sector workers an above-inflation pay rise.

“What we know from our previous public sector pay agreements, the last two in fact, when you look at it, the final agreement was well and above beyond what the inflation rate was at the time,” Ms McEntee said.

“That's the point we want to get to. That requires both Government and unions sitting down together.”

Mr Callinan warned that the Government would have “hours, not days” to develop a credible proposal to start pay talks before the next strikes are locked in. 

Mr Callinan, who leads the public services committee at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said the “ball is in the Government's court”.

He welcomed the more conciliatory tone taken by the Government and Mr Chambers following Wednesday's strikes, but warned progress was needed.

“If we don’t get a breakthrough here, this is going to become a long and difficult dispute, and I think it will be prosecuted in different ways than we’ve had to date,” Mr Callinan said.

Possible strike action next week would include a rally in Dublin city centre, alongside nationwide pickets.

Backchannel engagements between the Government and trade unions are still taking place, but Government sources declined to comment on the process, pointing to the sensitivity of the matter.

In the Dáil, Mr Chambers said unions had “legitimate concerns” about pay and cost of living.

“It is entirely appropriate that unions raise those concerns on behalf of their members. But if we are to make real progress, we need to move forward together into meaningful negotiation,” Mr Chambers said.

He said the Government is willing to prioritise pay within talks, adding that nobody wants to see workers on picket lines.

In Brussels, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government wanted to see a “negotiated pathway” to resolve the dispute.