Irish university strikes force class cancellations across the country

More than 300,000 public-sector employees are participating in the 24-hour stoppage, making it one of Ireland’s largest strikes in nearly two decades.

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), which represents academic staff, is among the unions taking industrial action. Its members voted 93% in favour of walkouts last month after a national agreement covering public-sector pay increases expired in June without a replacement deal.

University staff are seeking a new agreement covering the remainder of 2026 and 2027, alongside progress on commitments to improve working conditions for precariously employed and fixed-term staff.

“The demand is straightforward: the government must come to the table and negotiate meaningfully with the unions representing public service workers,” IFUT said on its website.

Staff are also calling for universities to consult employees before introducing changes that affect their working lives, including workload adjustments and departmental restructuring.

The strike has caused widespread disruption across the country’s higher education sector. Most universities and colleges are closed, according to The Irish Times.

IFUT shared photographs on X showing picket lines at several institutions, including Dublin City University, the University of Galway, Maynooth University, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork.

Trinity College Dublin said in a statement that it had cancelled all teaching and campus events recently. The campus remained accessible to staff and students.

At the University of Galway, graduation ceremonies scheduled for Wednesday were postponed until October 23. Postgraduate results due to be released the same day were also delayed, with publication rescheduled for Friday.

Higher Education Minister James Lawless described the industrial action as “regrettable” but acknowledged workers’ right to strike. He urged unions to return to negotiations, saying further escalation was unnecessary.

Trade unions have scheduled another strike for next week if an agreement is not reached, raising the prospect of continued disruption for universities, staff and students.