Opposition parties have said they will not cross any picket line at Leinster House next week if staff go on strike along with other public sector workers on Wednesday.
A row over the form talks on a new public sector pay deal should take has seen unions start industrial action, with more than 100,000 members involved in work-to-rule measures. Wednesday, October 14th, has been earmarked for strike action by teachers and other public sector workers.
Oireachtas authorities are not expected to learn whether the unions will grant a derogation from potential strike action by Leinster House staff so that Dáil proceedings can proceed until Friday evening.
The prospect of such industrial action impacting on business in the Oireachtas next week was discussed at a meeting of the Dáil’s Business Committee on Thursday.
RM Block
Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Mary Butler, set out the Coalition’s position that the Dáil should sit on the usual three days next week.
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However, Opposition parties warned they will not cross a picket line at Leinster House next Wednesday.
The committee is due to meet again on Monday to consider the matter once the Oireachtas hears back from the unions involved.
Sinn Féin chief whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn told The Irish Times that he has made it clear to the Government that “Sinn Féin TDs and staff will not be walking past our fellow workers in Leinster House who are picketing, if that’s what goes ahead that day.”
Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan also said his party is “supporting the public sector worker’s industrial action and we will not be crossing the picket line if Oireachtas staff are on strike next Wednesday”.
Labour Party whip Duncan Smith said: “We’re expecting a picket outside Leinster House on Wednesday morning and we in the Labour Party won’t be crossing it.”
Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit also said his party would not pass any picket at Leinster House but said it would be “a different matter” if striking workers want the politicians to go in “if they felt it was to their benefit”.
Boyd Barrett added: “I would only do that if I heard that directly from workers.”
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The Green Party also confirmed its politicians and staff would not cross a picket line at Leinster House next week.
A spokesman for Butler said: “The issue is under discussion between the whips and the Houses of the Oireachtas service and they have been dealing with it at the Business Committee today and will continue engagement over the coming days.
“The Government Chief Whip, Minister Mary Butler, made it clear at the business committee today that Dáil Éireann must sit Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.”
