UNITE TRADE UNION has announced plans to ballot its members in the public sector for industrial action, warning that such action is “inevitable” unless a meaningful pay offer is tabled.

Unite said the decision follows the government’s “failure to table” a meaningful offer on pay after the previous public sector pay agreement expired.

“The ballot is also protective in nature and is intended to ensure that members are in a position to respond should further negotiations fail to produce an acceptable outcome as well protecting existing conditions,” the union said.

In a statement, Unite said that the decision was reached after a meeting of the union’s public sector shop stewards.

The stewards said a range of issues must be addressed in any negotiations, including the public sector Additional Superannuation Contribution, and the lack of progress on local bargaining claims.

The union said increases paid to public sector workers in February and June have been “wiped out by inflation”.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said, “The government has had ample time to put forward a meaningful offer on pay as the basis for talks on a new public service agreement.”

“Their failure to do so leaves unions with no option but to make the necessary preparations to defend our members’ living standards during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”

The Department of Public Expenditure said: “Government remains available to engage with ICTU and other representative associations on all matters.”

“Meaningful progress can only be achieved through constructive engagement, and such engagement should proceed without preconditions on either side.”