UCC staff to strike over pay and conditions

UCC staff will take multiple days of strike action in October as part of the broader public sector pay dispute.

Members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) will be commencing their action with a one hour withdrawal of labour between 12 noon and 1pm on 5 October – World Teachers’ Day.

They will be joined in this action by members of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO).

This will be followed by two full days of strike action, on Wednesday 14 October – as part of the National Day of Strike Action being called by public sector unions – and Wednesday 21 October.

92.5% of IFUT members voted in favour of industrial action.

The action is part of a broader dispute between unions representing public sector and the Government. The unions have said that the government has failed to put forward a credible approach to pay capable of protecting public sector employee’s living standards, and that a genuine basis for negotiations has not been established.

The dispute also includes outstanding commitments under the Local Bargaining provision of the previous agreement – which expired in July – which protected against unilateral changes to workplace arrangements.

IFUT Deputy General Secretary Miriam Hamilton said: “UCC members are part of an exceptionally strong national mandate. Higher education staff want serious negotiations and a settlement that protects their living standards.

“World Teachers’ Day is intended to recognise the contribution made by educators. Beginning our action on that day highlights the need to match that recognition with fair pay, secure employment, and respect for collective bargaining.

“Members have waited for Government to establish a credible basis for negotiations. The strength of this vote shows that they are not prepared to wait indefinitely.

“There is still an opportunity to avoid disruption at UCC. But that requires more than expressions of willingness to engage. Government now needs to put a serious proposition on the table,” she said.

The industrial action by UCC staff will form part of a broader action by public sector unions, including Fórsa, SIPTU, the INMO, and Unite, which will commence on 30 September. It will consist of a work to rule, with a national day of strike action planned for 14 October.