Formal pay talks to resume at WRC, strike still planned

Updated / Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026 07:30

Formal talks on a public sector pay deal are to resume at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) today but, as of now, Thursday's planned public sector strike is still going ahead.

It follows engagement by trade unions and Government representatives with an independent group led by Commission Chair Kevin Foley.

Those discussions concluded in the early hours of this morning and a pathway back to formal talks has now been found.

According to Government sources, the independent group identified a basis for resolving the issues referred to it.

It is understood that when the parties meet at the WRC, it will be with a view to concluding negotiations and reaching a final agreement.

Unions are considering what the Government has described as a "substantially improved" offer which would deliver pay increases of 10.5% in an agreement that would run until the early months of 2029.

Union sources said they are concerned about the duration of the new deal and that if it ends up being a three-year agreement, they will be looking for a greater pay uplift.

The previous pay agreement was worth 10.25% over two and a half years and expired at the end of June. Unions have said that they are looking for a better deal than the last agreement.

Plans are continuing for a 24-hour strike by public sector workers on Thursday.

As part of the strike, union members are being encouraged to march in rallies rather than stage pickets outside their workplaces.

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There will be eight demonstrations across the country from 12pm to 2pm, with the largest taking place in Dublin.

The demonstration will coincide with a major meeting of world leaders in the capital as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

The other rallies will be held in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore and Letterkenny.

The total cost of the Government's proposed 10.5% pay deal is expected to be close to €5bn for the Exchequer over the lifetime of the deal.

An increase of 10.5% to public sector pay will cost €4.58bn.

However, when additional measures to aid those who are lower paid are added, it will bring the full cost close to €5bn.