Sides to discuss 'improved' 10.5% public sector pay offer

Updated / Monday, Public sector unions are planning to hold a 24-hour strike on Thursday (file image) Brian O\u0027Donovan By Brian O'Donovan Work & Technology Correspondent Trade unions and Government representatives will continue engagement today with an independent group in a bid to find a pathway to talks on the ongoing pay dispute. Over the weekend the Government made what it described as a "substantially improved" pay offer. It is understood the revised pay offer would deliver pay increases of 10.5% in an agreement that would run until the early months of 2029. This would equate to an 11% uplift when the increases are compounded over the duration of the agreement. There would be a bigger package and increases for lower paid public servants, with some benefitting 17.8%. According to sources, the offer would include a payment of €1,200 or 2%, whichever is higher, in 2026, bringing pay increases for this year to 4% for public sector workers. "The Government has made a substantially improved offer on previous offers, and in our view, the nature of that is to make an agreement very possible," said Taoiseach Micheál Martin. "But obviously, that's a matter that others have to consider," Mr Martin said. Tánaiste Simon Harris said he believed "the position is now significantly improved", adding that "there's an onus now on everybody to try and find a landing zone here and resolve this issue". Preparations for Thursday strike 'well under way' Public sector unions are planning to hold a 24-hour strike on Thursday. In a message to members of Fórsa, the union's General Secretary Kevin Callinan described the current process as "very difficult". "Preparations are well under way for a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday 12 November and rallies to mark the strike action and bring members together," Mr Callinan wrote. "I encourage you to make plans to attend a rally with your colleagues," he added. Meetings with a Government-appointed group chaired (WRC) Chair Kevin Foley were held over the weekend and will resume today. Unions previously rejected a Government offer of pay increases worth 7.75% over two-and-a-half years. They have said that they are looking for a better deal than the last public sector pay agreement. The previous deal was worth 10.25% over two and a half years. It expired at the end of June. As part of Thursday's strike, workers will be encouraged to march in rallies rather than stage pickets outside their workplaces. There will be eight demonstrations across the country from 12pm to 2pm, with the largest taking place in Dublin.