Fórsa has received confirmation that over 90% of healthcare staff have now received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, as media reports emerged that those who refuse to be vaccinated face redeployment under proposals currently being examined by the HSE.

This week saw the formal establishment of the body charged with making recommendations to begin the process of addressing the additional working hours introduced for many civil and public servants under the 2013 Haddington Road agreement.

Public service clerical and administrative staff will receive a 1% pay increase on 1^st February 2022 after Fórsa’s National Executive opted for a straight 1% pay round under the sectoral bargaining clause of the Building Momentum agreement.

Fórsa, which represents health service clerical and admin staff, has praised the efforts of non-frontline healthcare staff in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.

Fórsa has endorsed a plea from HSE boss Paul Reid, who wrote to his staff last week urging them to work from home unless it was essential to come into the workplace.

Fórsa and other unions are to engage with management at St John of God community services (SJOG) about the development of its ‘sustainability impact assessment,’ which is to be developed in collaboration with the HSE.

Fórsa has again added its weight to calls for a legal right for employees to request remote working. 

Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division is to host two live Oireachtas briefings on Friday 21st May, with contribution from union representatives working in health and children, equality, disability, and integration.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan has written to Irish MEPs to seek their support in getting life-saving Covid-19 vaccines to struggling countries in the developing world.