More than 300,000 public sector workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers, and civil servants, are on strike across the Republic of Ireland today, 14 October 2026. This action is a result of an ongoing pay dispute with the Irish government.
The 24-hour strike is expected to lead to school closures and cancelled hospital appointments, with picket lines forming nationwide. A further strike is planned for 21 October.
Brendan O'Brien, divisional organiser of SIPTU, which represents public sector health and administration workers, stated that the government's failure to establish a basis for formal talks left members with no alternative. Jack Chambers, the Republic's minister for expenditure, described the strike as "deeply disappointing" on Tuesday, noting it would cause significant economic disruption.
Previously, at the end of September, over 100,000 workers, including nurses, school staff, and civil servants, began work-to-rule measures. Primary and secondary school teachers in the Republic also started work-to-rule action at the beginning of October.