Public sector unions have rejected the Government’s call to begin negotiations on a new national pay deal, saying unresolved trust issues mean there is still no basis for formal engagement. The dispute escalated as work-to-rule action continued across large parts of Ireland’s civil and public service.
Public sector unions say trust must be rebuilt
Representatives of unions covering more than 200,000 public service workers wrote to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers on Thursday. The letter challenged his description of union demands as a “precondition” for talks.
Kevin Callin of Fórsa, Phil Ní Sheaghdha of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Adrian Kane of Siptu and John Boyle of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation said unions welcomed the Minister’s statement that negotiations remained possible. However, they argued that the Government had not addressed several outstanding commitments.
The unions said their concern about the cost of living reflects the continuing financial pressure experienced by public service employees. They maintain that pay and purchasing power must be central to any discussion about a successor agreement.
- Work-to-rule action by Fórsa, Siptu and the INMO began on Wednesday.
- Two teachers’ unions are due to begin similar action on Monday.
- A one-day public service stoppage is scheduled for October 14th.
- The Psychiatric Nurses Association has also begun industrial action.
Why the unions are refusing to enter talks
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Public Services Committee identified several issues it says are undermining confidence in the negotiating process:
- Delays in implementing agreements reached through the Workplace Relations Commission.
- Outstanding local bargaining payments from the previous national agreement.
- Incomplete commitments to reverse public service employment measures introduced during the economic crash.
Union leaders argue that these matters are not separate from negotiations over a new agreement. Instead, they say the Government’s record in delivering earlier commitments is directly linked to whether workers can trust a new deal.
The disagreement leaves the two sides divided over how talks should begin. The Government wants negotiations without conditions, while the unions say meaningful engagement requires progress on existing commitments and recognition of cost-of-living pressures.
Government says a new deal must be affordable
Jack Chambers said on Wednesday that the Government remained ready to negotiate and was committed to improving public servants’ pay. He pointed to gains made by the lowest-paid civil and public service workers under the current agreement.
At the same time, the Minister said any replacement deal would have to be safe, sustainable and affordable within the State’s wider fiscal limits. That position reflects the Government’s concern that public sector pay commitments must be managed alongside other spending pressures.
The dispute is therefore not only about the level of pay. It also concerns the timing of negotiations, implementation of previous agreements and the limits the Government would place on any future settlement.
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Industrial action expands across the public service
Members of Fórsa, Siptu and the INMO began work-to-rule action on Wednesday. Under this type of industrial action, employees continue working but follow contractual duties and procedures strictly, without providing additional discretionary effort.
The action is expected to affect multiple areas of the civil and public service, although the precise impact will vary by workplace and service. Public-facing operations may experience delays if administrative processes take longer or if staff do not undertake duties beyond their formal requirements.
The INTO and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland are due to begin similar action on Monday. The Teachers’ Union of Ireland is expected to announce the result of its ballot on industrial action on Friday.
Fórsa, Siptu, the INMO, the teachers’ unions, Unite and several smaller unions are scheduled to hold a one-day stoppage on October 14th. The Psychiatric Nurses Association, which is not affiliated with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, has separately confirmed that its members are beginning industrial action.
What happens next?
The immediate focus will be on whether further contact can narrow the disagreement before the planned October 14th stoppage. No formal talks on a new national agreement have been confirmed following Thursday’s letter.
The next developments are likely to include:
- The start of additional work-to-rule action by two teachers’ unions.
- The result of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland ballot.
- Discussions between union officials and Government representatives about outstanding agreements.
- Preparations for the planned one-day stoppage.
For people who rely on public services, the practical impact will depend on which unions participate, the services involved and whether a negotiated route is found before further action takes place.
Frequently asked questions
What are public sector workers protesting about?
The unions are raising concerns about cost-of-living pressures, delayed implementation of workplace agreements, unpaid local bargaining elements and incomplete commitments related to older public service employment legislation.
Has a new public service pay deal been agreed?
No. The Government has said it is willing to enter talks, but the unions say there is currently insufficient trust and no agreed basis for formal negotiations.
When is the planned public service stoppage?
The unions have scheduled a one-day stoppage for October 14th, although further developments could affect the dispute before then.
Which workers are taking industrial action?
Members of Fórsa, Siptu and the INMO have begun work-to-rule action. INTO and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland are due to begin similar action, while the TUI is awaiting the result of its ballot. The Psychiatric Nurses Association has also announced action.
Conclusion: talks remain the route to resolving the dispute
The latest public sector dispute shows that both sides recognise the need for a future agreement but remain sharply divided over the conditions for beginning negotiations. The Government is emphasising fiscal sustainability, while unions are demanding action on outstanding commitments and the cost of living before trust can be restored.
Until that gap narrows, work-to-rule action will continue and the planned October 14th stoppage remains a significant point in Ireland’s Breaking News agenda. The clearest takeaway for workers and the public is that a settlement will depend not only on the eventual pay offer, but also on whether previous promises are delivered.
