Municipal Employees’ Division members working as gallery attendants in the Hugh Lane Galley have voted in favour of accepting a pay deal negotiated by Fórsa.  

Workers had previously been denied a “Sunday premium payment.” The accepted deal guarantees two hours additional pay for every Sunday worked, with the two hours additional pay also being pensionable. 

Added to the Sunday premium going forward, Fórsa obtained a sizable retrospective payment for members who previously worked Sundays for the standard rate of pay. Retrospective payments have been backdated to the original lodgement of the claim, and have amounted to roughly €70k overall.

Chris Ford, Fórsa rep for the Hugh Lane Gallery, said, “It has been a long process, thankfully through pressure from members and tough negotiations we were able to successfully conclude a new Sunday premium payment for the Hugh Lane gallery members” 

Jay Power, industrial officer with responsibility for the Municipal Employees’ Division, echoed Chris’ sentiments giving praise to members’ efforts. He said: “Our members in the Hugh Lane Gallery stuck together, they showed great solidarity, and they won because of it.” 

He continued: “The Hugh Lane is a great place, it is home to some of the country’s most important collections, and it is also a cultural space that anyone can enjoy. Our members work hard to keep it that way and it’s more than worth some tough negotiations to see their pay conditions better reflect the importance of their work.”