Sinn Féin TDs for Waterford Conor D. McGuinness and David Cullinane have criticised the Government’s failure to secure a fair pay agreement for public sector workers, following confirmation that unions have announced a new date for strike action on 12 November.

Deputy McGuinness said public sector workers do not want to take strike action, but have been left with little choice after pay talks collapsed and the Government failed to address their concerns.

Deputy McGuinness said:

“The Government has failed to deliver a fair pay deal for public sector workers. That is a failure of leadership and a failure to recognise the contribution these workers make every single day.

“Nurses, teachers, SNAs and thousands of other public servants keep our essential services running. They are dealing with rising rents, food prices, energy bills and the wider cost of living, while their pay is failing to keep pace.

“These workers do not want to go on strike. Nobody goes into their workplace wanting to take industrial action or disrupt the services they provide. But they also cannot be expected to continually absorb the rising cost of living while the Government refuses to negotiate a fair deal.

“The Government needs to get back around the table and find a resolution. It should be focused on valuing and retaining the people our public services depend on, not allowing this dispute to escalate.

“It is particularly difficult to understand the Government’s position when it can find substantial increases for senior executives in semi-state companies, but cannot reach a fair agreement with the workers who deliver our public services.”

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane added:

“The Government needs to take responsibility for this situation. Public sector workers have made their case, the unions have engaged in negotiations, and yet we are now facing strike action.

“That is not good for workers, not good for public services and not good for the people who rely on them. The Government must get back to negotiations and deliver a fair agreement.

“Sinn Féin stands in solidarity with public sector workers. They deserve fair pay, decent conditions and a Government that recognises their value.”