Public sector strike ‘inevitable’ and will see up to 150,000 medical appointments cancelled
Public sector unions in Ireland are planning a 24-hour strike to demand better pay, which is expected to result in the cancellation of up to 150,000 medical appointments. Despite government warnings and budget provisions, unions argue that current offers fail to account for inflation and worker frustration.
Why it matters
The strike threatens to cause significant disruption to essential public services, highlighting a deepening conflict between the government and labor unions.
Up to 150,000 medical appointments will be cancelled for next Wednesday due to the strike by public sector unions, according to briefings circulated in Government.
Preparations are under way for the strike, which will see more than 300,000 public sector workers undertake a 24-hour work stoppage in pursuit of a new public sector pay deal, though essential services will be maintained.
Another strike is scheduled for the following Wednesday, while senior union figures are privately warning of escalation of their action in November if negotiations do not get under way in the coming weeks.
A spokesman for the HSE could not confirm the 150,000 figure, but nor did he dispute it. He said that the cancellations would be among non-urgent outpatient appointments, elective surgery, community appointments and primary care clinics (though not GPs).
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