A CRIPPLING strike by the public sector has been averted after their unions struck a new draft €5.2 billion pay deal.
The Government has agreed proposed increases of 10.75 per cent over the next two years for 400,000 workers like teachers and nurses.
Some public sector staff had revealed that their €78,000 salary meant they were living “pay cheque to pay cheque” due to inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
The deal, which was announced at 3.30am today (Wednesday), covers a broad range of salaries.
Generally, the pay increase amounts to 10.75 per cent up to March 2029 – but it is about 16 per cent for worker whose salaries are lower than €60,000.
For those on salaries of €60,000 or more, a two per cent hike – or €1,200, whichever is greater – will be backdated to September past.
But for Civil Service workers like clerical officers on €35,000 a year, a 3.4 per cent increase will be applied.
Ambulance representatives from SIPTU at Letterkenny LUH on October 14, 2026.
The strike’s suspension means there will be no repeat of October 14 when 300,000 public service workers stopped work across Ireland for the biggest strike in Ireland in 17 years since 2009.
Teachers and nurses across Donegal had been instructed to strike again tomorrow, meaning thousands of students in primary and secondary schools and third-level institutions like ATU in Letterkenny would be locked out, causing childcare and work commitments issues for parents.
Traffic disruption was also expected with a rally scheduled to gather at Letterkenny’s Town Park tomorrow afternoon and march to the Port Road for speeches.
The negotiations for workers were led by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
Some 19 unions were involved, including Forsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), and Siptu.
Forsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The better rates for those earning below €60,000 is important for young workers.”
The ICTU committee recommended to suspend tomorrow’s strike action to allow time to consider the pay proposals and to arrange ballots.
Ballots results are expected during the second week of next month.