‘Our livelihoods are at stake’

By Anna Powell

After one of the largest public sectors strikes in almost 20 years, talks are continuing between the Government and public sector union representatives to come to an agreement on a new public sector pay deal.

Although the planned second day of strike due to take place on October 21 was postponed on Friday evening, union representatives have said that further strike action could take place if talks with government are not satisfactory. Across the public sector, employees are continuing their industrial action in the form of work-to-rule.

Last Wednesday, more than 300,000 public sector workers including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, engaged in a 24-hour strike over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal.

Many union representatives stressed that the topic of pay needs to remain to the forefront of these talks on the public sector pay deal, with the government voicing that productivity and affordability for the state have to also be factored into an agreement.

The Nenagh Guardian spoke to union representatives who were out on strike last Wednesday to hear about why public sector workers decided to take this action.

Striking Forsa Members

“It’s a pity this is what it’s come to. After nearly a year of our goodwill being taken for granted, we are at the end of our tether,” expressed North Tipperary Fórsa representative, Larry Hunt.

“This is the only option that we have left because our livelihoods are at stake. We all know that we are in a cost-of-living crisis and our pay has fallen far short of keeping up with inflation and the financial strains that we are all under,” he continued.

The current pay deal for public sector workers ran out in June 2026.

Striking SIPTU Members

Concerns about the cost of living and the impact that this was having on people working wage was echoed by SIPTU spokesperson, Pat Leahy.

“SIPTU members are out striking today over the cost of living; it’s gone through the roof,” stated Mr Leahy outside Nenagh Hospital.

“Our members are hoping that the government will sit down and give us a good pay deal, what’s well deserved, because we are pushed to the pin of our collar every day of the week,” he said.

“They need to start listening to the people who are on the ground, working in tough conditions on a daily basis,” he said.

“There is a shortage of staff as well in Nenagh, and all the other hospitals right across the country,” he added.

Striking Civil and Public Servants

“Not one person wants to be on the picket line, nobody needs to be losing pay being on a picket line, but we need to stand up now, not only ourselves but for future generations and for other workers within this country," expressed Deirdre Quinlan, Chairperson of Fórsa Revenue Executive of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary sub-branch.

“I’ve had members come up to me, and it is just so sad to hear some of the stories. They are trying to see what they can cut out, what they can give up.

They are already on a tight budget,” she said, highlighting workers struggle with the cost-of-living crisis in Ireland.

Striking Nurses and Midwives

Speaking as a local Labour councillor, as a nurse and as a member of the Irish Midwifes and Nurses Organisation, Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh explained why nurses and midwives were out striking last Wednesday.

“We are out striking because we want the government to listen. We need better pay to match the cost-of-living crisis. The work that nurses do is absolutely phenomenal, we go above and beyond,” she added.

After being asked why industrial action took place on Wednesday after the government had offered to enter into talks with union reps, Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh said it was to show the government that they meant ‘business’.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult living in this country. Every day of the week, we have wonderful nurses qualifying in this country, who are starting out on €38,000. In other countries they start on €55,000. They are not able to get on the property market, and they are leaving our country,” she stressed.

Viewpoint of Opposition TD

Last Wednesday saw over 300,000 public sector workers go on strike across the country. This was the largest public sector strike in Ireland since 2009. Speaking to the Nenagh Guardian on the day of the strike, Labour TD Alan Kelly said that it “should never of come to this”.

“The government simply haven’t engaged with workers, haven’t engaged with the unions. The government have found money for lots of various different sectors, whether it was the hauliers or hospitality. They need to ensure that they equally find proper funding for PAYE workers across this country, particularly in the public sector,” said the Labour TD.

Deputy Kelly went on to state that the government has showcased a ‘disdain’ for public sector workers due to the manner in which they have handled this dispute.

“I’ll be asking on government TDs in Tipperary, and across the country, to put pressure on the government to ensure that this issue is dealt with,” stated Deputy Kelly.

“It’s been atrocious. They have allowed a pay agreement to lapse," added the Labour TD.