On Friday 5th September over 120 members working in the Early Years Service in Pobal began industrial action. 

99% of members voted in favour of the industrial action, in a ballot with 92% turnout.  

The employer has not paid workers a 2% pay increase that was due in March 2025, and refuses to address a long-standing grade correction issue.  

Members are engaged in a strict work to rule, which includes working within their 7-hour day, not covering annual leave, maternity leave or sick leave, not covering EYPC and not engaging with the new level 7 regulatory process. 

Ahead of the start of the industrial action, the parties met under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Assistant general secretary David Field said: “Some progress was made at the WRC as Pobal is now considering a solution on the grade correction issue, however no progress was made on pay.” 

A further conciliation conference at the WRC is due to be reconvened over the next two weeks. 

David concluded: “This issue has been ongoing for a long time, and our members have been through multiple rounds of engagement at the WRC to no avail. Our members are united in engaging in industrial action in pursuit of the resolution of this dispute. Their action demonstrates their resolve to the employer.”  

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