Preparing for 2026: Strengthening Our Voice, Building Our Power
SIPTU represents over 75,000 public service workers across the health service, public administration, local authorities, community and education sector.
Together, the Health Division and the Public Administration and Community (PAC) Division form the largest and most diverse collective of unionised public-sector workers in the country.
The current public-sector pay agreement with Government is due to expire in June 2026.
This means that over the coming months, SIPTU must prepare itself strategically, collectively and organisationally to negotiate a new agreement.
An agreement that must be built on the need to protect living standards, secure real pay progress, and defend public services from threats such as outsourcing, unsafe staffing levels and underfunding.
Why 2026 Matters
Every national public sector pay round is important, but 2026 presents particular challenges. Inflation pressures, the impact of international tariffs and the persistent cost-of-living crisis continue to impact workers and families.
At the same time, ambitious Government targets to manage recruitment figures within the public service, insist public services remain within budget and maximise reform & service expansion will place new demands on the public service workforce.
To secure a balanced and strong outcome in any future negotiations, we must demonstrate organisation, unity and strong density across all sectors of the public service that we organise.
High union density directly strengthens our negotiating mandate.
Put simply, the more organised we are within the public service, the stronger our leverage at the negotiation table.