SIPTU votes for public sector strike action over pay

SIPTU members in Ireland’s public sector have voted overwhelmingly to authorize industrial action, including strikes, as a dispute over pay and outsourcing guarantees intensifies.

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Trade unions have been available for months to negotiate a successor agreement, but the Government has failed to engage meaningfully.

The ballot covered members working in health, local government and state agencies. Ninety-seven percent supported strike action, while 98% backed industrial action. The previous public-sector pay agreement expired on June 30, and formal talks on a successor agreement have not begun.

SIPTU says the government has failed to present serious pay proposals or offer guarantees against outsourcing. Deputy General Secretary Adrian Kane said unions had been available for months but accused the government of failing to engage meaningfully. He said SIPTU would coordinate with other public-service unions as their ballots conclude.

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SIPTU will now confer with our sister unions across the public service as they complete their balloting processes.

Unite and the Prison Officers Association have already reported strong support for industrial action. Fórsa, the largest public-sector union, was due to announce its results, while the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, said it would ballot members on action up to and including strikes.

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Together, we will determine the action necessary to compel the Government to enter meaningful negotiations.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has previously called the strike threat unnecessary and said the government wants an agreement. His department said it remains available to engage with unions, adding: “It is only through engagement that agreement can be reached.”

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It is only through engagement that agreement can be reached.