Tomorrow, 14th October Public Sector workers across Ireland are going on the largest strike we have seen in 15 years.

That this action is being taken across the public sector is incredibly significant. Proof positive that the issues we are raising are faced by all. The union members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. One of the lowest responses was from the ASTI, 95%. The INMO voted 99% in favour of strike action. This is not a grey area. This is a very clear statement from union members that pay is a real concern in the face of the cost of living crisis.

Currently the unions are being met with an intractable response from the Government.

The Taoiseach has asked unions to ‘Diall it Down‘. Presumably he is implying that unions are the ones raising the metaphorical temperature. This a week after Minister Jack Chambers accused the unions of ‘not engaging in substantive talks.’ To be honest, I did snigger a bit at the accusation that teachers (of all people) were not willing to talk. (I suspect I have some students who would pay good money to have me talk less…)

At this stage, the strike is inevitable. There is an argument that actually having a strike suits both sides. Unions have an unprecedented majority mandate for strike action, and can clearly demonstrate that workers are standing together. The Government, meanwhile, can claim it isn’t caving to demands too easily.

Frankly, it’s a bit puzzling as to why we have reached this stage. The end date of the previous agreement was known in 2024. That agreement allowed for pay increases of 9.25% over a 2.5 year period. That’s 3.7% per annum as a flat rate.

The CSO Consumer Price Index Inflation tool shows inflation across the same time period as being 8%. So over a 2.5 year period public service workers effectively received a 1.25% pay rise. Taxable.

We are now facing into a winter with fuel prices dramatically increasing. The starting point of a systemic price increase across broad parts of the economy. Somehow, a 1.25% increase doesn’t seem like it will cut it.

But at the moment there isn’t even a 1.25% increase on the cards. No increases agreed since June, and the Government doesn’t want to enter talks while pay is top of the agenda.

I have a problem with this. If (as seems to be the case) pay is not the top of the agenda, then is this still a pay agreement. If the Government tags on changes in work practices, then that looks more like a change of job description, with pay being a function of that change.

In this instance, a pay rise is not a pay rise.

And so, in the morning I’ll join my colleagues on the picket line raising awareness that the government needs to enter talks about pay, and they need to be serious about addressing the concerns and needs of public servants.