Public sector strike planned for November 12 to coincide with major EU presidency event 

Public sector workers pictured in the strike on October 14. Public service unions are preparing for another strike on Thursday November 12 to coincide with a major European event in Dublin, as the public sector pay talks stalemate continues.

Public service unions are preparing for another strike on Thursday November 12 to coincide with a major European event in Dublin, as the public sector pay talks stalemate continues.

The strike will take place on the same day as the European Political Community in Dublin, the biggest event of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) Public Services Committee met on Monday morning at Congress House on Parnell Square, Dublin, to discuss further industrial action following the breakdown of talks at the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC).

Talks were adjourned on Friday evening close to midnight, with unions saying that an impasse had been reached.

They warned that it did “not appear possible, at this time, to negotiate an agreement that unions could confidently put to members in a ballot”.

Following this morning’s meeting, it was agreed that unions would prepare for strikes on Thursday November 12.

“The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said the Government has yet to make a credible offer to resolve the current dispute,” a spokesperson said.

“Public service unions remain available for discussions and will meet the Government Appointed Group tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd November.

“Preparations are now underway for a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday 12th November. 

“A rally in Dublin, alongside regional rallies, will mark the strike action and bring members together in support of a resolution.” 

The statement also confirmed that unions will discuss “intensifying the current work-to-rule action and further industrial action beyond November 12”.

They continued: “The committee’s focus remains on securing a credible offer through discussions. 

“In the meantime, preparations for the stoppage and rallies will proceed, alongside consideration of the next steps in the campaign.” 

Last week, unions said that the strike would take place on Wednesday November 11.

However, the date has now been changed to Thursday November 12, the same date that 50 European leaders are expected to fly into Dublin for a meeting of the European Political Community.

The strikes could see 300,000 public sector workers across the country strike, bringing schools, hospitals, local authorities, and other public services to a standstill.

Public servants, including teachers, nurses, doctors, and civil servants, participated in the previous one-day stoppage on October 14.

However, a second day of strike on October 21 was postponed following the commencement of talks at the WRC.

On Saturday, the WRC released a statement saying that after 10 days of talks, it was “of the view that certain matters have reached an impasse and is requesting that the Government Appointed Group consider those issues and put forward a means of resolution”.

The group, chaired by Kevin Foley of the WRC, and including Department of Environment Secretary General Oonagh Buckley and Owen Reidy of Ictu, will examine the issues where the negotiations had reached an impasse and propose a way forward. 

Other outstanding matters will remain with the WRC.

The group is set to meet the Government and union sides on Tuesday.