Strikes and other forms of industrial action now on table if Government does not return with ‘meaningful’ pay offer

Fórsa is set to reveal how its members voted on industrial action today – a key moment in a widening public‑sector dispute after unions accused the Government of failing to table “serious proposals” on pay.

So, what’s going on?

Their unions are holding ballots because they say there is no viable basis for formal talks with the Government.

The Government and unions were due to sit down for talks after the last wage agreement covering the country’s 400,000 public servants ran out at the end of June.

Formal talks never began, because unions did not like the Government’s stance during exploratory, behind-the-scenes discussions in June.

There seems to have been a big disagreement over potential pay rises to cover the rest of this year, as well as the timing of when pay would be dealt with at the discussions.

Unions pushed for wages to be discussed at the start of negotiations, but government officials wanted to deal with all other elements first and leave pay until the end.

There are strong indications that the union negotiators are looking for an increase covering July to December this year.

No claim was tabled, but they said inflation ran at 3.6pc in May and wiped out the benefit of increases worth a total of 2pc paid this year under the last deal.

Unions also want other issues – including local bargaining, remote working, housing and AI – addressed, but Kevin Callinan, the chair of the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), said they want clarity on pay before entering a wider process.

He said designing a “credible” approach to pay is “paramount”.

“The minister has said that everything is on the table and has attempted to characterise the union position as setting preconditions,” he said. “That does not reflect our experience of the exploratory talks.

“What unions are seeking is clarity on pay before entering a wider process, because public servants have already seen pay fall significantly behind prices in recent years.”

He said a pathway to engagement remains, but, for there to be any prospect of success, negotiations must start with a “serious and substantive approach” to pay and living standards.

The Public Expenditure Minister said the Government will not agree to a new public sector pay deal “at any cost”.

Mr Chambers said his officials want to see an intensifying of engagement with public sector representatives, but that any new pay increases would have to stick within the fiscal framework of Budget 2027.

He said there should not be preconditions set, and added that the Government wants to ensure a deal is sustainable and affordable.

Members of 19 unions with members who are public servants are voting, including members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

They open the possibility of strikes and other industrial action if the Government does not make a “meaningful” pay offer.

It’s possible, but it’s probably more likely that union leaders and government officials will give talks another go before it gets to that stage.

The Workplace Relations Commission could intervene and invite both parties to talks.