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IrelandIrish unions set November strike while pay talks remain open
Inflation protection and lower-paid workers remain central concerns as unions plan nationwide action during a European leaders' gathering in Dublin.
Why this story? One of RTÉ News's most watched videos since yesterday, with 5,117 views.
RTÉ News: The news division of RTÉ, Ireland's public broadcaster. 256K subscribers and 182M views.
Public sector unions plan 24-hour strike for 12 November | RTÉ News
Things we can learn from the video
Press to jump
- 0:00Unions announce a nationwide public sector strike for 12 November, coinciding with a European leaders' event in Dublin.
- 0:37Footage recalls October's strike, when schools closed and hospital appointments were cancelled.
- 0:54Fórsa's Kevin Callinan says union representatives have resolved to proceed with nationwide industrial action.
- 1:37Minister Jack Chambers regrets the escalation and says the Government remains committed to a fair, sustainable pay deal.
- 2:35O'Donovan explains that talks remain open, with inflation protection, lower-paid workers and further mediation central to the dispute.
Ireland's public sector unions have announced a nationwide strike for 12 November, but the negotiations have not formally ended. Both sides remain within the Workplace Relations Commission's talks process, correspondent Brian O'Donovan reports for Ireland's Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) News.
The planned day-long stoppage follows pay negotiations that adjourned without agreement. The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions says the Government has yet to make a credible offer to resolve the dispute.
O'Donovan identifies protection against inflation and the position of lower-paid workers as key union concerns. He also stresses that both sides have disclosed little about precisely what is being offered, leaving the details of the bargaining largely out of public view.
Kevin Callinan, general secretary of public service union Fórsa, describes anger among union representatives giving way to determination to proceed. Major rallies are planned across Ireland, and the report also describes warnings of escalating work-to-rule action.
The potential disruption is illustrated through footage of the earlier October strike, when schools closed and hospital appointments were cancelled. The November action is scheduled to coincide with a major event under Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union, bringing European leaders to Dublin.
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers calls the escalation "deeply regrettable" and says the Government remains committed to a fair and credible agreement for workers. He also emphasises that a deal must be sustainable.
Reporting live outside Lansdowne House, O'Donovan outlines further meetings involving an independent intermediary body led by Kevin Foley. The strike announcement increases pressure on the Government, he says, while a route through mediation remains open.
Ireland’s independent state agency responsible for industrial relations, established in 2015.
More on Wikipedia ›An umbrella organisation for trade unions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
More on Wikipedia ›An Irish trade unionist who has led Fórsa as general secretary since 2019. He was president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions from 2021 to 2023.
More on Wikipedia ›Ireland’s largest public service union, representing more than 89,000 members.
More on Wikipedia ›A role held by a different EU national government every six months, overseeing Council meetings and agendas. Ireland holds the presidency in the second half of 2026.
More on Wikipedia ›A Fianna Fáil politician serving as Ireland’s minister for public expenditure, infrastructure, public service reform and digitalisation since January 2025. He has been the party’s deputy leader since 2024.
More on Wikipedia ›Published on Trari
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The numbers
The report drew about 5,100 views since yesterday, placing it among Ireland's most-watched new news uploads.
💡 Test your knowledge
Which institution is hosting the pay talks described in the report?
O'Donovan reports that both sides remain within the Workplace Relations Commission's talks process.