The Irish Federation of University Teachers has announced that it will ballot members for industrial action, up to and including strike action, following the Government’s failure to establish a credible basis for negotiations on a new public service pay agreement.
The decision was taken unanimously at an exceptional meeting of IFUT’s Executive Committee on Friday, 10 July.
The Public Service Agreement expired on 30 June. There is no successor agreement, no agreed pay provision covering the remainder of 2026 and no meaningful negotiating process under way.
IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones said:
“Higher education staff have delivered stability, flexibility and continuity throughout successive public service agreements. In return, Government has allowed the current agreement to expire without a pay settlement for the second half of 2026 and without a credible process to replace it.
“This is not a technical delay. It is a serious failure to respect public servants and the collective-bargaining process.
“Higher education staff cannot be expected to continue absorbing rising living costs while their pay is left unresolved. Nor can they be expected to accept unfinished commitments or the possibility of changes being imposed without agreement.
“IFUT members are organised, determined and preparing to act. Government must now decide whether it is prepared to engage seriously and reach a fair settlement.”
The ballot will seek members’ authority to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, should this become necessary to secure:
• an acceptable pay settlement covering the period from July to December 2026;
• appropriate pay increases for 2027 and any successor agreement;
• the early conclusion and full implementation of outstanding claims submitted under the 3% Local Bargaining Clause of the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026; and
• protection against the unilateral imposition of changes to work practices, the organisation of work or organisational structures without agreement with the union.
IFUT has submitted a detailed claim under the Local Bargaining Clause to improve the position of precariously employed staff in higher education. Agreement was not reached through conciliation at the Workplace Relations Commission, and the matter is now before the Labour Court on 1 September.
Frank Jones continued:
“The failure to deliver on local bargaining is not an abstract issue for IFUT. It directly affects precariously employed staff who have spent years moving between fixed-term, part-time and insecure contracts while doing work that is permanent and essential.
“These workers sustain teaching, learning and research across higher education. They deserve secure employment, fair treatment and the delivery of commitments already made.
“Government cannot expect industrial peace while leaving pay unresolved, commitments undelivered and workers exposed to the unilateral restructuring of their workplaces.
“IFUT remains ready to negotiate. But meaningful negotiations require Government to come forward with a serious position on pay and living standards.
“The way to avoid industrial action is clear: negotiate, honour existing commitments and reach a fair settlement.
“Higher education staff are preparing to act because the present position cannot continue.”
IFUT will hold communication and consultation meetings with affected members before the ballot. Full details of the ballot timetable will be announced shortly.