Further public sector strike action to be announced on Monday, Fórsa chief says

Work-to-rule action continues as unions prepare for another day of pickets and a rally amid an ongoing pay dispute with Government.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan with striking workers outside Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment . Picture:Barry Cronin

Any further strike action by public sector workers will be announced on Monday, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan has said.

Mr Callinan wrote to members on Friday, saying he was “committed to achieving the best deal” for trade union members.

“We are available for talks where commitments can be given that the impact of the cost-of-living on members pay is addressed from the outset,” Mr Callinan wrote.

He confirmed that work-to-rule action would continue and that planning for a further strike next Wednesday remained a “priority”, following a meeting of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ (ICTU) Public Services Committee on Thursday.

Mr Callinan said next Wednesday’s action would include pickets across the country, as well as a rally.

“The details will be finalised over the weekend and notified on Monday,” he wrote.

Union leader praises strike participation 

Mr Callinan praised union members for their role in what he described as a “momentous” day last Wednesday.

“Everywhere you could hear cars beeping, whistles ringing and chants resonating through the air. It was the same across all cities and towns in the country,” he said.

Mr Callinan said public sector unions had sent the “clearest message possible to Government”: “We are the backbone of this country, and we can’t be taken for granted”.

“The vast breadth of work done by civil and public servants is often invisible, but on Wednesday it was visible for everyone to see. By withdrawing your labour, you made the impact and importance of your work impossible to ignore.

“Support from the wider public boosted morale and resolve. It also clearly showed that they understand you are standing up for all people, because everyone relies on work you do, and everyone is impacted by the cost of living crisis, regardless of what sector they work in.”

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