IFUT members will take part in the 24-hour public service work stoppage on Thursday, 12 November and will join major public rallies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.
The rallies will take place from 12 noon to 2.00pm as part of coordinated public service action following the failure of intensive negotiations to produce a credible basis for settlement.
IFUT members will withdraw their labour for the full 24 hours. Members are expected not to attend work or carry out work remotely and to attend the rally organised for their area.
The action follows ten days of intensive negotiations which failed to produce proposals capable of resolving the dispute.
The outstanding issues remain substantial. Public servants need an agreement that protects living standards, addresses the position of lower-paid workers and provides a credible resolution to outstanding local bargaining issues.
IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones said:
“Public servants have given this process every opportunity to produce an agreement. What is missing is a proposal capable of resolving the dispute.
“Our members have already shown that they are prepared to act collectively. The purpose of the 12 November stoppage is to increase the pressure for movement and to make that strength visible across the country.
“IFUT remains ready to reach an agreement. Government now needs to put forward proposals that unions can credibly recommend to their members.”
IFUT branches will provide members with local assembly points and practical arrangements for the demonstrations.
The previous work stoppage demonstrated the strength and organisation of IFUT members across higher education. The action on 12 November is intended to build on that pressure.
IFUT remains committed to securing a negotiated settlement. But a settlement must address the issues that gave rise to the dispute. Until that happens, members are prepared to continue acting collectively.