Athlone public sector workers join strike action
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Athlone public sector workers have joined in what is being described as the largest mobilisation of public sector workers in a generation.
Trade unions including FÓRSA, SIPTU, Unite, INMO, Teachers' Union of Ireland, and the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) joined forces today, Wednesday, October 9, on picket lines across the country.
Over the day, members from local primary and secondary schools, The Department of Education, the fire service, the health service, ambulances, universities and State agencies Union joined the picket line.
Members are calling for negotiations with Government to begin for a new pay deal to tackle inflation and the rising cost of living. The previous pay deal expired on June 30 of this year.
A second day of strike action is scheduled for Wednesday next, October 21, and is expected to go ahead unless a resolution is found before then.
Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, SIPTU Industrial Official for the Midlands, Graham Macken, said it has been "the worst year people have experienced" in terms of the cost of living.
"It's not something we wanted to do, and it's not action we're taking lightly. It's to show the government that we're not willing to accept the fact that they haven't entered into meaningful discussions.
"It's the fact that it was very clear that the existing public sector pay agreement finishin on June 30, 2026, which meant the new agreement was due to begin from July 1, 2026.
"Even if it took a number of months to negotiate an outcome that was acceptable to bring to our members for their vote, that [should] be backdated to July 1. It's very clear the Government strategy was to break the agreement at the end of June so that they could talk about issues for 2027."
An Athlone-based firefighter noted that they were taking to the picket line to support their public sector colleagues.
"It's about the fact that pay talks haven't even started, and the impact of the cost of living crisis. We're here in a capacity to stand together with other members of the public sector," they said.