Dublin City Council has warned that rubbish could accumulate across the capital on Wednesday as council employees join thousands of public sector workers in a 24-hour strike over pay.
More than 300,000 public sector employees are expected to participate in the industrial action, marking the largest strike of its kind since the height of the financial crisis in 2009.
The walkout will involve workers across a range of sectors, including nurses, hospital consultants, teachers, special needs assistants, firefighters, prison officers and dentists.
According to The Journal Dublin City Council confirmed that its staff would join the strike from midnight, resulting in the closure of all council offices to the public and significant restrictions on services.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said only essential critical and emergency services would continue to operate during the industrial action.
Waste collection and street cleaning are expected to be among the services most affected, with no staff available to empty public litter bins or clean streets, parks and other public spaces.
“With many people and businesses going about their normal day, litter and waste are likely to build up across the city,” the spokesperson said.
The council has urged residents and businesses to help minimise the impact by taking their rubbish home where possible and avoiding leaving waste beside overflowing bins.
“We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding,” the spokesperson added.
Council services are expected to return to normal on Thursday.
The strike forms part of a wider dispute over public sector pay, following the expiry of the existing collective pay agreement in June. Industrial action began on 30 September as unions stepped up pressure for a satisfactory replacement deal.
Fórsa, one of the main unions representing public sector employees, has said negotiations have yet to produce a credible proposal on pay.
Public sector unions and opposition politicians have also criticised the Government, accusing it of failing to engage meaningfully in negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Budget 2027 included €1.2 billion in funding for a new public sector pay agreement. However, unions have argued that the amount allocated will not be sufficient to address their demands.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has maintained that his department remains willing to engage with union representatives. He has criticised the planned walkout, describing the disruption it will cause as “unnecessary” and “unfair”.
Wednesday’s strike is expected to affect a wide range of public services, with disruption extending beyond council operations to healthcare, education and other essential public sector activities.
