UL unions and students share their concerns for the strike on November 12.
The collapse means a public sector strike will go ahead next Thursday, November 12.
Catherine Fitzgerald of UL Unite told the Limerick Voice, “Throughout these negotiations, unions have consistently made the case for a pay deal that reflects the reality facing public sector workers.”
The primary concern of the public sector workers is the lack of pay increases despite the rising cost of living. Ms Fitzgerald stated, “Public sector workers should not be expected to absorb the impact of inflation while continuing to deliver essential services.”
The disappointment extends beyond the University of Limerick union, with former Workplace Relations Commission Chair Kieran Mulvey telling RTÉ Morning Ireland that he was not surprised by another strike date announcement. Limerick Cllr Padraigh Reale of the Labour Party told the Limerick Voice, “These strikes have my full support, particularly the nursing and teaching sectors where it will affect the young people in schools.”
Students are also expressing concerns. At the UL, a student of Physics and Chemistry teaching, Bryan Byrne said, “This could affect my learning and reduces my time in classes towards the end semester it’s adding pressure on us students and probably on the lecturers to try to catch up.”
This sentiment was shared by students, with Liam Murphy, an engineering student, commenting, “I’ll be missing three different lectures and more importantly a lab which is tough but otherwise the strikes won’t affect me too much.”
Lia Akbulet, a Business Administration Student on Erasmus at UL, was less concerned, saying, “It would offend me personally because it’s the public sector and we are part of the public. It’s upsetting.” However, Lia understands why the public sector workers have taken this decision, saying, “If they’re not being heard, what else can they do?”
Teaching, nursing, and other public sector unions will now move to the next stage of action with a major national rally in Dublin to coincide with the strike, and minor protests happening across the country aimed at increasing awareness and demonstrating solidarity.