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Ireland public sector strike on 12 November 2026 suspended: what it means for UK-Dublin flights

By FlightClaimHQ Newsroom
Published 8 November 2026, 07:40 (UK time) · Updated 11 November 2026, 07:40 (UK time)

Update (11 November 2026): the 24-hour public sector strike planned in Ireland for Thursday 12 November has been suspended after unions and the government agreed a draft pay deal overnight, RTÉ and BreakingNews.ie reported. Union members will now vote on the deal, with results expected in early December. No flight cancellations had been announced, and a European summit still restricts traffic in Dublin from 10 to 13 November.

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What has been announced

Unions in the Ictu Public Services Committee, including Fórsa, have called a 24-hour stoppage on Thursday 12 November, the Irish Examiner and TheJournal.ie reported. About 300,000 workers are involved according to the Irish Examiner, including teachers, health staff and civil servants. The strike was first planned for 11 November and was moved after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission broke down. Rallies are planned in eight towns from midday to 2pm, RTÉ reported.

Update (11 November 2026): after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission ended at about 3.30am, the Ictu Public Services Committee recommended that unions suspend the strike and other industrial action, RTÉ reported. The strike is suspended, not called off: members will vote on the draft deal, with results expected in the week beginning 7 December.

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What it means for flights between the UK and Dublin

With the strike suspended, its possible effect on passport control at Dublin Airport no longer applies on 12 November. TheJournal.ie reported that passport control and other functions at Dublin Airport may be affected, as few derogations are planned for civil servants. It also noted that during the previous strike, derogations meant airport operations were not significantly affected. On 14 October, the day of that strike, Travel Extra reported that the airport was running normally, as its operator sits outside the core public service.

Dublin also hosts the European Political Community meeting on 12 November, with about 50 leaders. Travel Extra expects major traffic restrictions in Dublin from 10 to 13 November, including on routes to the airport. Allow extra time to get to the airport and check your flight status before you leave.

Your rights

Flights from the UK to Dublin are covered by UK261, and flights from Dublin by EU261. A strike by civil servants, outside the airline, is usually an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation depends on the facts of each flight. Whatever the cause, a cancelled flight gives you a refund or re-routing, and long waits give you care: meals, refreshments and a hotel if you are stuck overnight. Keep your receipts. FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

Your rights if your flight is affected

You may be entitled to fixed compensation per passenger if:

your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;

UK261 (flights departing from the UK, or arriving in the UK with a UK or EU airline): £220, £350 or £520 depending on flight distance.

EU261 (flights departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU with an EU airline): €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.

Whatever the cause, while you wait the airline must provide care: meals and refreshments, and a hotel room with transfers if you are stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Are UK flights to Dublin cancelled on 12 November?

No cancellations had been announced as of 8 November, according to the sources we checked. Queues at passport control and slow access to the airport are possible.

Will I get compensation if my Dublin flight is delayed by the strike?

Usually not, as a strike by civil servants is generally an extraordinary circumstance, but it depends on the facts. Care, refund and re-routing rights apply in all cases.