A strike by public sector unions is likely to shut the country’s meat factories for two days this month and could severely disrupt live exports.
It is understood that vets employed in slaughter plants and at ports by the Department of Agriculture are set to join the industrial action which is being co-ordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
The two days earmarked for full strike action are Wednesday, October 14 and 21.
The industrial action is related to a pay claim, which is being made by close to 19 unions which are affiliated to ICTU.
Industrial action by Teagasc staff, which kicked off this week, has already resulted in a number of farmer meetings and events being cancelled by the advisory body.
Work to rule
Teagasc technical staff, who are represented by the union SIPTU, have been advised to operate on a work-to-rule basis from this week, with the full strike action taking place on October 14 and 21.
The action is likely to see most out-of-hour meetings cancelled as SIPTU members are being advised to work “normal contracted hours and start and finish at scheduled times”.
The work to rule will also preclude union members from participating in “strategy working groups, project boards or task forces”.
The two days of nationwide strike action "will involve picketing the workplace and offices”, a SIPTU email informed members.
SHARING OPTIONS