Teagasc events expected to be postponed over industrial action
Some Teagasc events may need to be postponed as a result of industrial action.
However, the overall impact on activities is envisaged to be "minimal", a Teagasc spokesperson has said.
Union members in Teagasc are participating in a period of national industrial action from today (September 30).
Over 100,000 public sector workers across Ireland have begun action in the form of a work-to-rule.
Pay agreement
A spokesperson said: "This industrial action is not specifically arising from a dispute between the unions and Teagasc, rather an ongoing dispute between the government and unions on a successor Public Service Pay Agreement.
"During the period of work-to-rule, Teagasc events planned during normal business hours will proceed as normal.
"Some activities scheduled for night-time may need to be postponed, though the impact is envisaged as minimal."
Unions nationally are planning a strike on October 14.
"Teagasc, similar to other public bodies, will be forced to postpone most public events on that day," the spokesperson added.
DAFM
Separately the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) also confirmed that it was informed by various unions that its members would also "participate in a work to rule today" (Wednesday, September 30).
A DAFM spokesperson added: "It is anticipated that services will be mostly affected outside normal office hours.
"It should also be noted that farmers and foresters can still contact department staff through the usual channels".
Strike
According to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, he believes that the leadership of trade unions "know that there will be meaningful discussion".
"There is no need for this strike action," he told the Dáil today.
"It's causing unneccessary disruption. There's no need for it in my view.
"We will have a budget that will help workers."
The Taoiseach highlighted that the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers this week issued a formal letter to the unions.
"Of course we want to negotiate a pay agreement. That's clear to everybody," the Taoiseach said.
"I think the unions should call off the industrial action, enter into negotiations wtih the government."
