Public sector strike called off after 10.75% pay deal

Fórsa announces major update after government improves pay offer

The government increased its offer to 10.75%, taking local bargaining into account, and unions agreed to put the revised terms to their members. 

The proposal had to be considered within 48 hours, with acceptance coming in the early hours of Wednesday.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan announced that the industrial action had been suspended. 

Workers will still have the final say through a membership ballot, which Callinan hopes will be completed in the week beginning 7 December.

New figures reveal full cost of proposed public sector pay deal

The latest figure follows several rounds of discussions between union representatives and the government. 

Newstalk's Sean Defoe said an improved offer had been presented during the talks, which continued overnight as both sides worked towards an agreement. 

He described the negotiations as involving "pretty significant negotiation".

If approved, the deal will cover the period from July 2026, when the previous agreement expired, through to March 2029. 

The overall increase amounts to 10.75% once local bargaining is included, while the full package is expected to cost the Exchequer €5.2 billion.

Ministers brace for union members’ decision

The development follows another planned strike being called off earlier this month, after unions pushed for better terms than those initially proposed by the government.

Tánaiste Simon Harris had urged unions to engage in good faith with the earlier offer, while the Taoiseach's original proposal stood at 10.5%.

The revised agreement comes shortly after the government presented its Budget 2027 plans, which set out spending priorities for the coming year.

For now, the strike has been taken off the table, but the deal still needs to secure approval from union members.

Newstalk reports that ministers will be watching the outcome of the ballot closely.