A 24-hour public-sector strike that had been scheduled for today has been suspended after the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Public Services Committee accepted a draft pay deal in late-night talks on Wednesday. The walk-out would have closed passport offices, immigration registration centres, air-traffic control towers and public-transport hubs. Under the provisional agreement, civil and public servants will receive a 10 % pay rise over two years, tied to productivity measures. Union ballots are due in early December, but leaders agreed to lift strike notices in the national interest given the EPC and EU Council meetings under way. For global-mobility managers, the reprieve removes the immediate threat of passport issuance delays and public-transport shutdowns. The Passport Office has confirmed all appointments today are going ahead. Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services are operating their diversion timetables but not the full withdrawal originally feared. Employers should, however, continue contingency planning: if members reject the deal, rolling strikes could resume before Christmas. Companies may wish to accelerate visa renewals and GNIB registrations in case of future disruption.
