Workplace Report October 2016

European news

Possible strike action in Ireland’s public sector


The most recent settlement for public sector workers in Ireland is under pressure as unions representing teachers and the police (Gardaí) plan strike action. 


The deal, known as the Lansdowne Road agreement, was signed in May 2015 and is supposed to run until the end of September 2018. 


It was the first move towards reducing the pensions levy, introduced in 2009 and restoring pay cuts, which were initially imposed in 2010, although it is far from returning earnings to where they were before the crisis. However, with Ireland’s economy growing sharply, unions want faster progress in rebuilding their living standards.


So far only two unions, the ASTI (secondary teachers) and the AGSI (Gardaí) have concrete strike plans, but other are considering it.


https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1103/828794-strike-looms-as-gardai-demand-substantial-rise