NATIONWIDE PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE BRINGS SERVICES TO A STANDSTILL ACROSS IRELAND
DUBLIN, Oct 14
LIVE UPDATES: Tens of thousands of public and civil servants walked out across Dublin and the rest of Ireland this morning as part of a massive 24-hour national strike.
Latest:
The strike has brought routine operations across the capital to a near standstill this afternoon. The HSE confirmed that routine outpatient appointments and elective surgeries across Dublin hospitals are cancelled for the day, though emergency services remain open. Meanwhile, the CCJ and Four Courts have adjourned the vast majority of cases until tomorrow. Speaking from Leinster House, union leaders called on the Government to return to the negotiating table with a real proposal, warning that next Wednesday’s October 21st strike remains locked in unless an agreement is reached.
Tens of thousands of public and civil servants walked out across Dublin and the rest of Ireland this morning as part of a massive 24-hour national strike.
Unions including Fórsa, SIPTU, IFUT, and Unite called the action after the national pay agreement ran out without any new contract sorted.
Picketers were out on the streets early this morning across the city. St James’s Hospital, Garda HQ in Phoenix Park, and Dublin City Council depots like Ballymun all had pickets set up before 7am. Staff at Trinity and other universities also stayed out.
The strike caused big delays and shut down services across Dublin all day. Local council counters didn't open, classrooms sat empty, and courts including the CCJ and Four Courts adjourned most of their cases for the day. Public transport was about the only thing unaffected, with Dublin Bus, Luas, DART, and trains running normally because those workers have a different deal.
Unions made it clear to staff working from home that they couldn't just log on quietly either. Guidance sent out to members warned that checking emails or answering work calls from home counted as crossing the picket line.
Unless government officials and union reps sit back down at the table soon, this won't be the end of it. Another full 24-hour walkout is already set for next Wednesday, October 21st.
