Pay talks race to avert 12 November public sector strike

Unions have accused the Government of failing to make a credible offer on pay. It is understood they rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two-and-a-half years, a figure reported as an understanding rather than an announced final offer.

General Secretary of Fórsa and Chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' Public Services Committee Kevin Callinan said they are looking for a better deal than the last public sector pay agreement. That was worth 10.25% over two and a half years. It expired at the end of June.

Talks at the WRC were adjourned Friday night last week, with unions saying that a significant impasse had been reached. Yesterday, Tánaiste Simon Harris said there was "a particularly important window available over the weekend" to resolve the ongoing dispute.

On Monday, unions announced plans for a 24-hour strike on Thursday 12 November. Unlike last month's work stoppage, workers will be encouraged to march in rallies rather than stage pickets outside their workplaces.

There will be eight demonstrations across the country from 12pm to 2pm, with the largest taking place in Dublin. The other rallies will be held in counties Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo alongside Tullamore and Letterkenny.

It is understood the Dublin rally may involve striking workers marching from O'Connell Street to Government Buildings, but the logistics of this are still being worked out. Extensive road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place because of the European summit, adding to pressure on movement around the capital that day.

Transport for Ireland has flagged significant disruption to public transport in central Dublin from 10 to 13 November around European events. Customers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional travel time from Tuesday 10 November to Friday 13 November, as Dublin hosts two major international summits during Ireland’s EU Presidency.

A significant security operation across the capital will affect access and movement in parts of Dublin city. As a result, Dublin Bus services will experience road closures, diversions and delays. Some bus stops will be temporarily unavailable, with revised city centre termini put in place where necessary.

Dublin Bus is working with An Garda Síochána, Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority to reduce the impact of disruptions and maintain the best possible service for customers. Additional operational resources will also be deployed during this period, with diversions due to the EU-related visits listed for Tuesday 10 November through Friday 13 November.

Céim a bhfuil súil léi: D’fhéadfadh an méid seo athrú.

After next week's strike, unions said they will intensify the work-to-rule action that is already under way across the public sector and look at taking further industrial action. Mr Callinan said future action may take the form of rolling strikes in individual sectors of the public service.

Delays in agreeing to a new public sector pay deal led to a 24-hour strike by more than 300,000 public sector workers last month. Engagement through the Foley-led group is continuing ahead of Thursday, with unions and Government representatives seeking a pathway back to talks.