Biggest public sector protest since 2009

Thousands of public-sector workers walk out in dispute over pay

Public services across Cavan and Monaghan continue to face widespread disruption today (Wednesday, October 14) as thousands of local public-sector workers have joined a 24-hour national strike. The workers are bringing grievances over pay, work conditions and the rising cost of living to picket lines across the region.

Teachers, nurses, healthcare professionals, civil servants and local authority employees are among those taking part, with unions saying the action is necessary as a means to force the Government to commit to a new public service pay agreement.

A work-to-rule, introduced on September 30, will remain in place even after today; and unions warn that further industrial action is possible, with the Public Services Committee scheduling another national strike for Wednesday, October 21.

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Marty Lynch, a Fórsa branch secretary, working with Cavan County Council, says workers had seen their incomes decline as successive pay agreements failed to keep pace with increases in the cost of living.

He tells the Celt that negotiations on a new agreement should begin with “recognition” of those increases rather than treating them as a “secondary consideration”.

The unions, he believes, are only seeking a fair settlement for public-sector workers, alongside discussions on “improving the efficiency” of public services as a whole.

Marty said unions are prepared to engage on measures including the “responsible introduction” of progressive measures such as artificial intelligence, but provided those improvements do not lead to outsourcing, privatisation and ultimately job losses.

The Government, meanwhile, has called on unions to return to negotiations without such preconditions. The Department of Public Expenditure and Minister Jack Chambers last night (Tuesday) expressed disappointment at today's disruption going ahead.

On October 6, Budget 2027 made provision of €1.2 billion for a potential public service pay deal.

Successive public service agreements the government say, have protected the incomes of public servants, and particularly the lower paid. Between 2019 and 2025, public servants received pay increases of 22.5%, broadly matching considerable price increases over the period. The lowest-paid public servants saw increases of 36% over the same period, significantly ahead of inflation. The most recent agreement, the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, delivered cumulative pay improvements of 9.6% against inflation of 6.6%.

"This is a time of great uncertainty. Budget 2027 provides stability and security for working people by increasing incomes, reducing key household costs, and strengthening the public services that communities depend on," said the government in a statement issued on Tuesday. "The best way to reduce uncertainty for public servants is for public service unions and associations to enter talks to reach a clear agreement on public service pay. Officials remain available today to immediately enter intensive talks with the support of the expert services of the WRC."

Echoes of the 2009

Seventeen years on, though the grievances have changed in some respects, but the current dispute again reflects tensions over public-sector pay, the cost of living and the relationship between the Government and its workforce.

The industrial action has also raised the prospect of further disruption, with October 21 marked down for another day of striking.

Whether today's action brings the Government and unions closer to an agreement remains uncertain.

Martin McGovern, of the TUI, expressed hope the strength of feeling demonstrated on Wednesday would prompt renewed engagement.

“People feel they’re not being listened to, and that feeling is widespread across the public sector. Hopefully, the Government will take notice of the strength of feeling and listen to the concerns being raised.”

Tom O’Brien, of Fórsa, says his wages are “worth less to me today than they were two weeks ago”, and due to the spiralling cost of living, that situation looks set to continue.

The impact on younger employees again for him remains particularly concerning, recalling conversations with workers struggling to meet basic expenses after paying bills.

“We need to address this properly,” he says. “One person I spoke with told me that, after paying all his bills, he had just €50 left at the end of the week to cover food and everything else. I asked him what that meant for his social life, and he said he didn’t have one because he simply couldn’t afford it. All we’re trying to do is put a little extra money in people’s pockets.”

Council update

Cavan County Council has issued a statement advising the public that all local authority offices and public buildings, including libraries, will be closed to the public on Wednesday, October 14, due to the planned industrial action.

As a result, all public counters, and the council’s phone lines will remain closed for the day.

Emergency Services will continue to operate for the duration of the industrial action, and anyone requiring the fire service should dial 112 or 999 as normal.

Normal services will resume on Thursday, October 15.

"Cavan County Council acknowledges that this may cause some inconvenience and thanks the public for their understanding."