Govt leadership needed otherwise winter of industrial unrest awaits
Govt leadership needed otherwise winter of industrial unrest awaits - The Labour Party
Labour’s enterprise spokesperson George Lawlor TD has called out Government’s failure to reengage with unions following the expiration of the public service agreement in June.
As SIPTU members employed across health, local government and State agencies vote in favour of strike action, Deputy Lawlor said these workers cannot be brushed aside ahead of Budget 2027.
Deputy Lawlor said:
“The vote by SIPTU members in favour of strike action demands real action from this Government. Public sector workers have been brushed aside by this Government for too long and are not immune from the cost of living that continues to spiral.
“Workers are frustrated, they feel disrespected and who can blame them. The Government side must show some real imagination and urgency now or they are risking major strike action in the autumn.
“In Budget 2026, fast food chains received a subsidy from this Government by way of a VAT cut. Meanwhile, a huge amount of workers in the public service, like so many people across Ireland, are not able to cope with the dramatic increases in the cost of living. Government must get a grip on that.
“If this Government has any clue about good industrial relations, they will work now and show leadership to avoid strike or industrial action.”