Irish unions plan rallies in eight locations for 12 November strike
The 24-hour public-sector stoppage is set to coincide with a European summit in Dublin as talks continue over a new pay deal.
Irish trade unions have announced eight demonstrations for a planned 24-hour public-sector strike on Thursday 12 November, RTÉ reported on 5 November. The rallies are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., with the largest in Dublin, where the action will coincide with a European Political Community summit during Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Eight rallies planned across Ireland
The demonstrations are planned for Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore and Letterkenny. The plan emphasizes rallies rather than widespread pickets at workplaces, though TheJournal.ie reported that Fórsa said some selective pickets may take place. The campaign involves 19 unions, TheJournal.ie reported.
Routes and other arrangements were still being finalised, TheJournal.ie reported. RTÉ said a march from O’Connell Street to Government Buildings was understood to be under consideration, but its logistics were unsettled. Dublin will also face road closures and traffic restrictions for the summit. TheJournal.ie said about 50 European leaders are expected in the capital.
Strike follows stalled public-sector pay talks
The planned stoppage follows a nationwide strike on 14 October involving more than 300,000 public-sector workers, according to RTÉ and TheJournal.ie. A further strike planned for 21 October was suspended to allow negotiations, while work-to-rule action continued. The new action is planned as a 24-hour stoppage.
Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission ended without agreement on Friday 30 October, according to the reports. A government-appointed group chaired by WRC chair Kevin Foley then held separate discussions with union and government representatives. RTÉ reported that further discussions could take place in the coming days.
The reported government proposal would provide a total 7.75% in pay increases over two and a half years: 6.75% in general increases and a further 1% for local bargaining. RTÉ said the general increases would begin with 1.75% from 1 November 2026, followed by increases totalling 5% during 2027 and 2028. Unions rejected the offer. TheJournal.ie reported their concerns that it would not adequately protect wages from inflation and that lower-paid staff lacked guaranteed minimum increases.
The previous public-sector pay agreement was worth 10.25% over two and a half years and expired at the end of June, RTÉ reported. TheJournal.ie said the planned stoppage could affect schools, healthcare and civil-service work supporting the summit.
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Sources and context
- Details announced of next week's public sector strikeRTÉ News
- Rallies planned in eight locations as public sector workers prepare for another nationwide strikeTheJournal.ie
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.