SIPTU members in local authorities and State agencies will begin industrial action on September 30 in a dispute over talks on a new public service pay agreement.
The union said the Government and public service employers had failed to establish a basis for formal negotiations on an agreement to replace the current one.
The action will include a work-to-rule and the withdrawal of workplace goodwill arrangements. SIPTU said members would work strictly within their contractual obligations and stop cooperating with some non-statutory initiatives and change programmes.
The union said it had repeatedly sought engagement on pay, living costs, recruitment and retention, and the future of public services, but no satisfactory basis for formal talks had been established.
SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser Brendan O’Brien said members had shown “enormous commitment, flexibility and professionalism” as demands on public services grew.
“Much of what keeps services functioning effectively depends upon the goodwill and cooperation of workers,” he said.
“The decision to take industrial action has not been made lightly. SIPTU remains committed to securing a negotiated outcome and has consistently sought meaningful engagement on a successor pay agreement.
“Unfortunately, the failure by the employer side and the Government to establish a basis for formal talks has left our members with no alternative but to act collectively.”
Mr O’Brien called on employers and the Government to engage urgently to prevent the dispute escalating.
“The best outcome for workers, employers and service users alike is a negotiated agreement that recognises the contribution of public service workers and addresses the challenges facing public services,” he said.