Trade unions and Government representatives will hold further separate talks today with an independent body in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute over public sector pay.
Engagement began yesterday with a Government appointed group chaired by Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Chair Kevin Foley.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure said the process remains under way, with both parties asked to undertake further consideration of the matters being discussed.
“Officials will continue to make themselves available to engage intensively and constructively in this process, with a view to resolving matters without undue delay,” the department said.
On Monday, unions announced plans for a 24-hour strike on Thursday 12 November.
They have accused the Government of failing to make a credible offer on pay.
Talks at the WRC were adjourned on Friday night with unions saying that a significant impasse had been reached.
It is understood unions rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two and a half years.
This would include a 1.75% increase for this year, backdated to July when the last pay deal expired.
There would then be a series of pay increases over the course of 2027 and 2028 totalling 5%.
A further 1% would be allocated for local bargaining, which allows for pay issues to be addressed involving specific roles and grades.
The strike on Thursday week will coincide with the first of two meetings of European leaders due to take place as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
There will be a demonstration in Dublin and smaller rallies around the country as part of the strike.
After the work stoppage, unions said they will intensify the work-to-rule action that is already under way across the public sector and look at taking further industrial action.
Delays in agreeing to a new public sector pay deal led to a 24-hour strike by more than 300,000 public sector workers last month.
Public sector workers including teachers, nurses and doctors, took part in the strike on 14 October – in the biggest day of national strike action since the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash.
A second planned strike was suspended to allow for talks, however industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule is continuing.
