Following on from yesterday's inspirational day of industrial action across higher education, IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones attended the Dáil this afternoon for a debate on the Labour Party motion on Public Sector Pay. He was there at the invitation of Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.
The motion notes that the government allowed the Public Sector Pay agreement to expire in June 2026. This left over 400,000 workers without a collective pay agreement for the first time since 2010. Since then, trade unions across the public service have balloted their members, with overwhelming support for industrial action.
Pay and the cost of living
The motion points out that no provision was made in Budget 2027 for pay rises in the remainder of 2026, while inflation has reached 4.1%. It also notes that Budget 2026 failed to index PAYE tax rates, bands and credits, leaving workers cumulatively behind. It describes it as economically and fiscally reckless for the Minister for Public Expenditure to have allowed a situation to develop where there is no pay agreement providing certainty for both workers and the State.
Delays and damaged trust
The motion recalls that the last pay agreement provided for a 1% local bargaining increase from 1 September 2025, with a further 2% to follow in the next agreement. It notes significant delays in implementing these increases, which have caused growing frustration and anger in affected sectors. It says there have been similar delays in implementing previous commitments and Labour Court recommendations, and that this has damaged trust. It also recalls that the last nationwide public service strike was in 2009.
Government response
The motion regrets that the Minister used his Budget Day speech to lecture public sector workers and blame trade unions for his failure to engage meaningfully on future pay. It also says that comments by the Taoiseach have further inflamed the dispute. It recognises that talks on a new agreement must prioritise pay from the outset, and says the government has not shown a credible approach to the cost-of-living pressures facing public sector workers.
What the motion calls for
The motion calls on the government to:
- Drop its arbitrary preconditions and commit to engaging in good faith with the unions representing public sector workers
- Commit that future pay increases will, at a minimum, protect public sector pay against inflation
Next strike: 21 October
IFUT's next strike takes place on 21 October.