Unions warn remote work during strike counts as crossing picket line

Siptu, the union for almost 70,000 public sector employees, has declared that any staff who work from home on the scheduled strike days of 12 October and 21 October will be breaking the strike. In a social-media video, Cathie Shiels of Siptu’s education sector warned that remote work is equivalent to crossing the picket line and instructed members to shut down laptops, email, phone and online teaching. The union’s message follows a wider industrial action that started on 30 September over a stalled collective pay agreement, with a second strike day set for 21 October if needed.

While many workplaces will shut completely, some essential services have been granted strike exemptions. Over 23,000 members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland have already begun action in the post-primary and higher education sectors.