Fórsa has welcomed last week’s announcement that the Government has accepted an independent body’s recommendation that public service employees’ working time should be restored to pre-austerity levels with effect from 1st July.

Public expenditure minister Michael McGrath has said he will raise the issue of public service pay and inflation with the Cabinet within the next fortnight, and that he then expects talks with unions to get underway.

Fórsa has welcomed a Government commitment to consider the accreditation of the special needs assistant (SNA) national training programme delivered by UCD.

New legislation that will give parents and other carers five days of unpaid leave for their caring responsibilities was signed off by Cabinet earlier this week. The work-life balance bill will extend leave to workers who need to take time off to provide personal care or support to a relative.

A civil service arbitration baord has ruled on a disagreement between Fórsa and management on how the accrual of flexitime for those with blended work arrangements should be piloted.

ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan will join representatives of the Government, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and employers’ bodies’ to mark ‘workers’ memorial day’ on 28th April.

You can help Ireland secure the last few signatures needed to reach a European Commission threshold in a campaign to urge the EU to allow the production of approved Covid-19 vaccines to competent and safe pharmaceutical facilities around the world.