SIPTU members working in Early Years services have delivered a decisive mandate in support of a proposed pay deal, with more than 90% backing it in a consultative nationwide ballot counted in Liberty Hall.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane Jackson, said: “SIPTU members have overwhelmingly supported the pay rates that emerged from negotiations between union representatives and employers on the Early Years Joint Labour Committee (JLC) negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission. The proposals provide close to a 10% pay raise across all the grades, raising the minimum agreed hourly pay rates to between €15 for Educators and €20.25 for Graduate Managers. Our members now expect to see these long-awaited wage increases reflected in their pay packets in September.
“This strong endorsement by our members is a crucial step forward for the sector. Early Years Educators and Managers have fought tirelessly for professional recognition, with pay that reflects the vital importance of their work. This deal is directly linked to the €45 million in government funding secured by SIPTU’s intensive Budget 2025 campaign, which is specifically ringfenced to fund pay increases for Early Years professionals. This funding becomes available from 1st September 2025.”
She added: “However, access to this €45 million is entirely conditional on the pay deal being legally in force. Every day of delay on these proposals being ratified by all sides risks this essential funding and denies our members the pay rise they deserve.
“The proposals must now be adopted by the JLC and approved by the Labour Court before being signed into legal effect by the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee. SIPTU is calling on all Employer Representatives to engage constructively and swiftly in the process without unnecessary hold-ups.”
SIPTU Early Years Union Chair, Avril Green said: “Our members have waited long enough for professional pay. The funding window is clear, we must work together to get this deal over the line and the money into educators’ pockets from September.”