More than 300,000 public sector workers across Ireland took strike action for 24 hours on Wednesday, 14 October, in a dispute over pay and living costs. Teachers, healthcare workers and civil servants are among those affected.
The action follows the expiry of the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 on 30 June. Unions are seeking a new agreement that addresses workers pay and the impact of inflation, while the government wants negotiations to cover productivity and other issues.
The government has allocated €1.2 billion towards a new public sector pay agreement, but the dispute remains unresolved. A further strike day is planned for 21 October.
The strike highlights the central role of organised labour in maintaining Ireland’s public services. It also raises questions about how workers can protect their living standards as the cost of living rises.
For trade unionists, the challenge extends beyond a pay settlement: building solidarity across workplaces and ensuring workers have a meaningful say in the decisions affecting their lives.
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