Public sector pay talks: Government offers deal worth 10.5% in bid to avoid strikes

The Government offer would see bigger increases for lower-paid public servants, with some benefitting up to 17.8%.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan told members on Sunday afternoon that talks have been “very difficult”. Picture: Brian Lawless/Press Association

The Government has offered 300,000 civil servants a pay deal worth 10.5%, with some lower-paid workers in line to receive an increase worth 17.8% over the course of the deal.

It comes amid increased pressure to try and avoid a public sector strike and rallies on Thursday, on the same day as the European Political Community meeting. The meeting will see 50 world leaders jet into Dublin for the flagship event of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

However, unions have warned members that they are still preparing for strikes, warning that talks have been “very difficult”.

The Irish Examiner understands that the Government has tabled a new pay offer which could guarantee rate increases of 10.5% or 11% cumulatively for every public servant.

There would be a bigger package and increases for lower-paid public servants, with some benefitting up to 17.8%.

The proposal would include a significant additional back payment of €1,200 or 2%, whichever is higher, in 2026, bringing pay increases for 2026 to 4% for public servants when the previous 2% increase introduced earlier this year is taken into account.

It is further understood that the deal would last just over two and a half years, bringing the agreement into early 2029.

The window for reaching a public sector pay deal ahead of Thursday’s strikes is tightening as talks between unions and officials with the Government-appointed group become increasingly tense.

Meetings between the Government-appointed group, led by Workplace Relations chief Kevin Foley, ended shortly before lunchtime on Sunday.

Sources told this newspaper that there was a belief at one stage that talks would collapse completely, as things remain “pessimistic”, “tetchy” and “negative”.

While one Government source said that they now believed the talks would go ahead, another stated that there is “still a window to avoid a strike” but that neither side was “there yet”.

A message issued by Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan to members on Sunday afternoon warned that talks have been “very difficult”.

“Since Tuesday, the officers of the ICTU Public Services Committee have participated in intensive discussions under a process overseen by the Government Appointed Group,” he said.

“Talks continued yesterday and again this morning. They are now adjourned until tomorrow. Needless to say, it is very difficult.

“Preparations are well underway for a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday 12th November and rallies to mark the strike action and bring members together. I encourage you to make plans to attend a rally with your colleagues.