Paid-up Fórsa members working in the civil and public service, and in non-commercial State agencies, have now received an email with a ‘unique voter code,’ which enables them to cast their vote in the ballot on a proposed new public service agreement.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council employers, has again agreed to write to local authorities to ensure that only essential workers are required to attend the workplace. 

Fórsa has made a significant breakthrough in its longstanding claim to ensure there is an assistant civil defence officer in every local authority.

Fórsa has called for engagement with unions on an official target that 20% of public service operations should be done remotely. 

A worrying 47% of Irish workplaces were found to be in breach of Covid-19 guidelines following Health and Safety Authority (HSA) safety inspections since last May.

If accepted, the proposed new public service agreement, Building Momentum, would run from January 2021 to December 2022. It allows for two pay increases, each worth 1% of annual salary or €500 a year, whichever is the greater.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week confirmed that the high number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations means that schools will not be able to open fully before Saint Patrick’s Day.

Fórsa’s national executive committee (NEC) has commissioned a new membership data system to replace the current arrangements.