Public sector pay talks finished shortly after 3am this morning.
Following consideration of the proposals that have emerged from the talks, the ICTU Public Services Committee has agreed that the planned work stoppages and regional rallies scheduled for this Thursday will not now proceed. The INMO Executive Council met early this morning to consider the position and has agreed that the Thursday work stoppages and eight regional rallies will not proceed, and that the current work-to-rule will now be withdrawn.
As you know, trade unions were invited into pay talks following the decision to escalate the dispute with a second day of strike action, following the public service-wide strike on October 14th. The action taken by public service workers demonstrated the strength of feeling across the public service and the determination of members to secure a fair outcome.
For nurses and midwives, our priority throughout this dispute has been clear: negotiations and any proposals arising from them must focus first and foremost on pay, recognising the significant cost-of-living pressures facing our members.
As a group of unions, we maintained our focus on improving the pay offer made earlier this month. We were clear that those most impacted by the cost of living, particularly workers on low and modest incomes, should benefit most from any agreement.
The proposals provide for a minimum increase in basic pay of 10.75% over the 33-month period from September 2026 to March 2029. They also include a local bargaining clause, allowing claims arising during the next two years to be pursued and dealt with during the lifetime of the agreement.
The proposed salary increases would be made at periodic intervals through a combination of flat-rate payments and/or percentage increases. The details of the proposals are:
2026
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2% or €1,200, whichever is greater, on 1 September 2026.
2027
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 April 2027.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €600, whichever is greater, on 1 August 2027.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1.5% or €900, whichever is greater, on 1 November 2027.
2028
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 March 2028.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €600, whichever is greater, on 1 June 2028.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1 October 2028.
2029
- A payment of up to 1% of basic pay costs for Local Bargaining on 1 March 2029.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1.25% or €750, whichever is greater, on 2 March 2029.
Your Executive Council will meet in person on Monday to consider the proposals and issue a recommendation to members. Following this meeting, a full briefing document will be issued to all members in the public service, setting out the details of the proposals and the Executive Council’s recommendation.
Details of information sessions and the balloting arrangements will be communicated to members separately.