SIPTU has launched workplace consultations in preparation for strike ballots involving tens of thousands of its members across the public service over the coming weeks.
The union has accused the Government of failing to begin meaningful negotiations on a successor public sector pay agreement.
The previous public sector pay deal expired last week, and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement.
The last deal ran from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2026 and provided for pay increases of up to 10.25% over the course of the two-and-a-half-year period.
On Friday, the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said its 19 affiliated unions are beginning the process of consulting members, with industrial action ballots expected to follow in the coming weeks.
SIPTU said ballots of its members will take place across the health service, local authorities and education over the coming weeks.
“Exploratory talks with government officials over the last few weeks failed to establish the basis for formal talks to begin, as they did not set out clearly their commitment to a pay strategy in an agreement that would protect the living standards of our members, over the lifetime of a multi-annual engagement,” said SIPTU General Secretary John King.
“The cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation have completely eroded the value of pay increases paid to public servants under the previous agreements and SIPTU members in the public service are determined that they should not pay the price for the Government’s delay.”
“Our members deliver essential services every day. Their patience is now being tested,” Mr King said.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said on Friday that the threat of industrial action is unnecessary.
He said that the Government wants to reach an agreement on public-sector pay but not at any cost.
He added that there should not be preconditions set in the context of building consensus towards a new agreement.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure said the Government remains available for engagement with ICTU and other representative associations on all matters.
“It is only through engagement that agreement can be reached,” the department said.
