Kevin Callinan, General Secretary for Forsa joined The Claire Byrne Show to discuss the reasoning behind the strike action and the date chosen.
The public sector is going on strike once again, with the date raising some eyebrows due to its clash with an EU Presidency event.
While no definitive reasoning was given when the strike action was announced, aside from to avoid it being on a Wednesday again, more justification for the date has emerged.
Kevin Callinan, General Secretary for Forsa joined The Claire Byrne Show, and indicated it was actually a number of the affiliate unions that highlighted how having the strike on a Wednesday again would impact their sectors.
He explained: "What happened was we had originally decided it was going to be Wednesday of next week [November 11] and a number of the affiliate unions, particularly in the education sector, pointed out that another Wednesday had particular impacts for job shares and for school activities.
"And for that reason, the idea of a change of date came on the table. I'm not going to pretend that people aren't angry. I want to deliver a message to the government. We will do that.
"Public servants are responsible people. We will do that in a peaceful way. But we want to make sure that the government understand."
When pressed on whether or not it was also a strategic choice, Mr Callinan said that he chaired the meeting and it wasn't strategic, and was simply a choice between the Wednesday or Thursday.
However, he is aware that the decision is likely to be interpreted as a strategic move and accepts that.
Along with the planned strike action, a number of rallies will be held across the country, with the largest being held in the capital.
The EU Presidency event in question sees Ireland host the ninth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin.
The meeting brings together European Heads of State or Government, together with leaders of key European and international institutions, for informal political and strategic discussions.
Main image: FORSA members on strike at St Lukes Pic: Dylan Vaughan
