Fórsa and other public service unions have invoked a review clause in the Building Momentum public service agreement on foot of high and sustained inflation.

Fórsa has welcomed the Government’s announcement that, later this year, it will introduce an obligation on medium and large employers to report on their gender pay gaps. But the union said it wants a quick expansion of the number of companies covered by the new law.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has launched two new statutory codes of practice, which unions will be able to invoke in pay inequality and workplace harassment and sexual harassment cases.

Fórsa’s newest civil service branch is looking for clerical officers to be co-opted onto the branch committee. The new branch is also seeking input from members in the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) at all grades to come on board.

Just over half of female staff in a large Dublin local authority have had to take time off work because of their periods. But only 12% said they were comfortable enough to tell their line manager the real reason for their work absence.

The State must rapidly strengthen its support for social dialogue between Government, unions, employers, communities and civil society organisations, or risk failing to meet its climate action obligations under Irish law and international agreements, according to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.

Fórsa members have answered the call following an urgent Department of Social Protection (DSP) request for assistance with the reception of Ukrainian refugees arriving at Dublin Airport.

A number of civil service departments and agencies have come together to establish Ukraine support centres, which are providing one-stop-shop services to families and individuals arriving in Ireland from Ukraine in the wake of the illegal Russian invasion of their country.

Transport workers have called on union members in Ireland and elsewhere to support their justice campaign for 800 P&O Ferries workers who were sacked over a Zoom call last week.