On Friday 21st February Fórsa lodged a local bargaining claim on behalf of Executive Officers, Higher Executive Officers, Grade 4 -7s in the civil service and related grades in the public service (health, education and local government sectors). 

Local bargaining is a national bargaining process for collective issues specific to a grade, group or category. This is the third local bargaining claim Fórsa has lodged. 

Last week, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan met with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR) in his capacity as Chair of the ICTU Public Services Committee, to finalise the local bargaining units. Department officials acknowledged that Fórsa has now submitted three local bargaining claims.  

Speaking about the engagement, Kevin said: “The members covered by this claim were surveyed in advance, and their responses informed the nature of the claim.” 

“For local bargaining to have a real impact on members’ lives, it is vital that members have a chance to input into claims early in the process. Members’ support will also be pivotal in securing the claims. There are no automatic entitlements here, these claims will need to be negotiated, fought for and won.” 

Following a similar approach to the claim submitted on behalf of Clerical Officers and related grades, this claim seeks to reduce the length of time it takes to move up each scale, to eliminate the waiting period for Long Service Increments (LSI), and to add an increase to the maximum point of each scale. 

Deputy general secretary Éamonn Donnelly submitted the claim on behalf of members. Éamonn stated: “Three local bargaining claims have now been submitted on behalf of Fórsa members. Taking members’ views on board, we have taken a common approach and adapted the claim to each grade and role that is covered. We’ll keep you informed as the process unfolds.”  

The claim is as follows: 

• Removal of points 6 and 10 of the Executive Officer scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Executive Officer scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Executive Officer scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 6 of the Higher Executive Officer scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Higher Executive Officer scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Higher Executive Officer scale. 

• Removal of points 6 and 8 of the Grade 4 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 4 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 4 scale. 

• Removal of points 2 and 5 of the Grade 5 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 5 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 5 scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 5 of the Grade 6 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 6 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 6 scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 6 of the Grade 7 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 7 scale. An increase of 3.5% on the absolute maximum point of the Grade 7 scale. 

You can read the claim here.

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