Press release issued on behalf of the Communications Workers’ Union:
Covalen workers to strike in Dublin over union recognition
Action at Nova Atria, Sandyford forms part of a series of strikes announced for January
Dublin, Wednesday, 14 January 2026 — Workers at Covalen, a contractor providing services to Meta, are holding two days of strike action on Thursday & Friday, 15th & 16th January, with full day strikes being accompanied by pickets from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm, at the Nova Atria complex in Sandyford Business Park, Dublin. The action forms part of a series of industrial actions announced for January targeted at drawing attention to demands relating to union recognition, working conditions and collective bargaining.
The strikes follow a ballot of members of the Digital and Techworker Alliance (DATA) section of the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU), after what the union has described as a lack of meaningful engagement by Covalen management on issues considered fair and reasonable by workers.
Key demands include:
- Union recognition at the Nova Atria site
- Improved redundancy packages
- Review of pay and pay structures, including recognition of service
- Formal recognition of roles, including Legal Operations and Specialist Quality Review
- Fairer annual leave and sick leave policies
- Genuine hybrid and remote working options
The CWU believes the unity and support for industrial action show a clear desire among workers to have their voices heard and respected, and that collective bargaining is the appropriate mechanism to restore balance in workplace relations, provide job security and address the rising cost of living faced by tech workers.
“We are fighting for union recognition and collective bargaining — so that Covalen recognises its workers’ union and negotiates with organised staff. Through collective bargaining, we can secure job protection, pay increases, improved redundancy terms, recognition of service, paid sick leave and real hybrid and remote working policies,” said John Bohan, DATA-CWU Organiser.
Cuts to benefits and redundancies
Since January last year, around 2,000 workers, across morning and evening shifts, have reported successive cuts to benefits while productivity demands have intensified. In November 2025, Covalen informed staff that it was proposing approximately 300 redundancies in its Dublin operations. During the consultation process, this figure was subsequently revised, with some workers redeployed or offered alternative roles.
The strike on Thursday is being described by the union as a significant moment for Covalen workers, marking one of the first industrial actions of its kind at the company, and reflecting a collective effort to assert the importance of social dialogue, dignity at work and respect for labour rights in Ireland’s technology sector.
Commenting, Ian McArdle, Deputy General Secretary of the CWU, said:
“Workers at Covalen are deeply heartened at the incredible support they received last Tuesday for their picket at the Covalen headquarters in Sandyford from their fellow workers, and right across the trade movement and wider community. They are steadfast in their resolve to continuing this industrial action to protect the rights of those Covalen workers whose jobs are under threat, and the rights to proper engagement and collective bargaining for workers that will continue to work at Covalen.
The jobs Covalen workers do within the Trust and Safety teams of online platforms are critically important. They protect the users of these platforms and often must expose themselves to illegal and damaging content in the process.”
Mr McArdle repeated his call on Covalen to recognise the Union and engage in collective bargaining. He said:
“How these workers are being treated by Covalen, with offers of redundancy terms that fall well short of industry norms and the company’s refusal to engage with their union representatives, are totally unacceptable. Recent sharp practice from the company is seeking to terminate some workers coming up on 2 years’ service to deny them rights to minimum levels of redundancy pay are equally reprehensible.”
“The resolution of this dispute will be immediate engagement with workers, and an offer of redundancy pay well above statutory minimum and in line with industry norms,” he added.
ENDS
Media Information
- What: Full Day-long Strike by Covalen workers (Meta contractor)
- When: Pickets taking place Thursday & Friday, 15th & 16th January 2026, 3.00 pm – 7.00 pm
- Where: Nova Atria, Blackthorn Road, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18, D18 F5X2
- Why: Union recognition and improved pay, benefits and working conditions
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