Unite to ballot public-sector members on strike action

The Unite trade union has announced plans to ballot its members in the public sector for industrial action.

The union has accused the Government of failing to table a meaningful offer on pay following the expiry last week of the previous public sector pay agreement.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the Government has had ample time to put forward a meaningful offer on pay as the basis for talks on a new public service agreement.

"Their failure to do so leaves unions with no option but to make the necessary preparations to defend our members' living standards during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis," Ms Graham said.

On Friday, the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said that its 19 affiliated unions would begin the process of consulting members, with industrial action ballots expected to follow in the coming weeks.

On Monday, SIPTU said it was launching workplace consultations in preparation for strike ballots involving tens of thousands of its members across the public service over the coming weeks.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said previously that the threat of industrial action is unnecessary and that the Government wants to reach an agreement on public sector pay.

A spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure said the Government remains available for engagement with unions on all matters.

"It is only through engagement that agreement can be reached," the Department said.