Fórsa has called on the Government to clarify revelations that special needs assistants (SNAs) working in special schools in Wicklow, Dún Laoghaire and south-east Dublin received Covid-19 vaccinations earlier this week.

Workers now enjoy a strengthened ‘right to disconnect’ under a new code of practice launched by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last week.

Fórsa is seeking the negotiation of agreed and comprehensive guidelines on remote working for application across the civil and public service. 

Unions have called for a minimum of ten days paid leave each year for victims of domestic violence. An ICTU submission to the Government highlighted the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 restrictions have had on victims of violence, harassment and abuse.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has welcomed the news that the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill is back on the agenda, following the Government’s announcement that amendments to the lapsed 2019 bill have been approved.

The Government’s new rural development plan, announced last week, will include a major focus on attracting remote workers to rural communities, with a significant portion of the plan focused on public sector workers.

Fórsa members and staff were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former IMPACT president Finbarr O'Driscoll, who died this week. A former councillor and mayor of Cobh, Finbarr was a loyal member and avid union activist.