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 and local authority management have agreed a blended working framework for the sector, which will give all council staff the right to apply for remote or blended work. 

Representatives of Fórsa’s Municipal Employees Division have participated in a number of meetings with management over a proposed Dublin City Council ‘super depot’ in Ballymun, which would house a range of operations in a single location.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has confirmed 27th May as the date for a conciliation on competitions for local authority senior executive officer posts.

Fórsa representatives are to participate with the agriculture department officials in a working group to concerns over the proposed transfer of local authority veterinary staff to the civil service.

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.