It's been reported that the government offered an increase of 6.75% over three years which was turned down by the public sector unions.

It was announced yesterday that talks have broken down between the government and public sector unions and another 24-hour shutdown will be taking place on November 12.

The strike action coincides with a large EU Presidency event, which will see delegates and leaders from all over Europe meet in Dublin.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Linda Kelly, general secretary of the ASTI, explained that the strike action planned for next week isn't "performative" and talks have reached a "significant impasse".

She explained: "It's definitely not performative and I think that narrative often gets put out by the government to deflect from why talks have, in actual fact, I think, reached a significant impasse.

"Their offer on pay wasn't credible. It was well below inflation in terms of what members need to look for this year in terms of their pay.

"And there was huge consensus yesterday amongst all of the unions that it simply wasn't good enough. It wasn't credible.

"It wasn't what people need to be able to address the cost of living issues that they're having in their households and that we needed to put the strike action back on the table.

"You'll recall just when we went into talks just 10 days ago, it was that we would suspend the industrial action to allow for meaningful talks.

"We did that. The government didn't come to the table with a meaningful position. And so the strike is back on the table and it's completely because of the government's attitude."

The offer made by the government that the unions turned down was 6.75% over three years, and when asked what figure they are looking for, Ms Kelly simply responded "more".

She continued: "[6.75%] is paltry. It's simply not good enough. 

"We've been very clear right throughout this that government need to address the inflation cost this year.

"What they offered doesn't do that and that they need to look at making up the gap in inflation that has emerged over the last couple of years and their offer doesn't do that."

Newstalk's Ella Anderson joined Lunchtime Live shortly after the strikto explain what this 24-hour stoppage entails.

So far, the plan is the same public service groups will be involved in the strike, but according to Ms Anderson, the only difference will be a "little bit in derogation".

She explained: "We might see a few more sectors, a few more parts of the unions getting derogations. But other than that, it should be about the same.

"So we're talking easily, you're in the 100,000 [people in the] 24-hour strike. And they're also looking at escalating the current work to rule and also considering striking further after November 12, but no date has been given yet."

You can find more information on the planned strike action here.

Main image: Workers and staff are on picket duty during the public sector (Civil Servants) one day strike Pic: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie