Public sector strike action could yet be avoided, says Simon Harris

"Strike action has real consequences," said Tánaiste Simon Harris, adding that intensive engagement between Government and public sector unions is now needed. 

Simon Harris at the Fine Gael ard fheis in Cork. The Tánaiste is looking to prevent public sector strikes ahead of the the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Dublin on Thursday. Picture: Chani Anderson

A “new and significantly improved offer” has been made to trade unions, and there is now a “window” to avert strikes on Thursday, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.

It comes as talks between the unions and the Government-appointed groups ended before lunch yesterday, with expectations at one point being that the talks would collapse completely.

Public sector unions are preparing to strike on Thursday over disagreement on a new pay agreement for around 300,000 workers.

The Government is currently offering 6.75% over two years, with an additional 1% for local bargaining, bringing the total deal to 7.75%.

When asked if he thought Thursday’s strikes were now inevitable, Mr Harris insisted that they are not.

“I certainly don't, and I think it's really important that there is intensive engagement in the hours ahead now to try and avert that,” the Tánaiste said.

“The Government has made a new and significantly improved offer, I think, from the perspective of public service workers.

“I would ask now that, against that backdrop and that context, the work is now towards resolution and de-escalation.”

Mr Harris said that the Government “wants to pay public service workers more”, adding that it has been “engaging and listening” with workers’ representatives and unions.

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He also suggested that the conversation had to move away from disruption to the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Dublin.

Mr Harris continued: “Strike action has real consequences, and I know public service workers know that they'd rather be in the classroom on Thursday. They'd rather be on the hospital ward on Thursday.

“I don't doubt that, but just think of the level of disruption.

"There's a lot of focus on big events; I understand that. But actually, just think of the disruption for the parent if all of a sudden the child's school is closed again on Thursday and they still have to go to work, or if the hospital appointment is again cancelled and somebody still needs that.

“We need now everybody to be in solution-finding mode, and there is still a window between now and Thursday. I'd ask that that window be used.”