What Industrial Action will SIPTU members be taking?
From 30 September 2026, SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division members will engage in the following forms of Industrial Action
Work to Rule
Members will work strictly within their contracted hours, grade, job description, agreed staffing levels and established procedures.
Refusal to Undertake Duties Outside Grade
Members will not perform duties assigned to higher, lower or vacant grades and will not absorb duties arising from unfilled posts.
Refusal to Engage with External Contractors and Consultants
Members will not participate in works, meetings, surveys, workshops, interviews or reviews conducted by external contractors, consultants or consultancy-led projects.
Withdrawal of Goodwill
Members will cease all informal workplace arrangements, voluntary flexibility, unpaid additional responsibilities and informal cover arrangements.
Non-Cooperation with Redeployment Initiatives
Members will not cooperate with non-voluntary redeployments, relocations or reassignments associated with organisational change, restructuring or service reconfiguration.
Non-Cooperation with New Work Practices
Members will not participate in the implementation of new work practices, productivity measures, revised working methods or service redesign programmes.
Non-Cooperation with Digitalisation and Technology Projects
Members will not participate in the introduction, testing or implementation of new electronic devices, mobile technologies, applications, digital reporting systems, automation projects or technology-driven work changes
Non-Cooperation with Change Management and Modernisation Programmes
Members will withdraw cooperation from organisational reform programmes, workforce modernisation initiatives, restructuring projects, pilot programmes and efficiency drives.
Refusal to Participate in Additional Data Collection and Reporting
Members will complete only statutory and contractual reporting requirements and will not participate in additional management information gathering, performance monitoring, benchmarking or non-statutory reporting exercises.
Withdrawal from Non-Statutory Committees and Working Groups
Members will withdraw from project boards, working groups, steering committees, taskforces, implementation groups and other non-essential forums.
Important Note Regarding Overtime
At this stage, the Industrial Action does not include an overtime ban. Members should continue to work authorised overtime arrangements unless otherwise advised by SIPTU. Any future escalation of the dispute will be communicated directly to members through official SIPTU channels.
Why is SIPTU taking this action?
SIPTU members are seeking:
- A fair pay settlement that protects living standards against rising costs.
- Protection against privatisation and outsourcing of public services.
- Protection of public service jobs and service delivery.
- Meaningful engagement on workplace change, technological developments and modernisation initiatives.
- Respect for collective bargaining and agreed industrial relations processes.
The action being taken reflects the clear democratic mandate provided by members through national ballots.
Where can members get further information?
Members should:
- Contact their Workplace Representative or Branch Official.
- Monitor official SIPTU communications.
- Attend workplace and branch meetings where updates on the dispute will be provided.
Members are protected by their Union during disputes. If you are not in the Union, you won’t be.