Fórsa and other local authority unions have successfully negotiated an agreed process for the selection of Covid-19 safety representatives to underpin staff interests as workers return to council workplaces after working remotely.

The mechanism will see each union appoint a worker representative in each local council. They will then choose one of these as the lead worker representative to work on behalf of the members of all unions.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council management, agreed to this approach earlier this week.

A nationally—agreed protocol on returning to work safely requires a lead worker representative to be selected in each employment.

The ‘return to work safety protocol’, which was agreed between unions, employers and Government, underpins workers’ safety as they move back to their normal place of work. Fórsa recently updated its guidance, which was published last week. 

The protocol requires employers to implement a number measures in advance of staff returning to workplaces. These include appointing Covid-19 workplace representatives, preparing information and training for staff, taking steps to underpin social distancing, cleaning and sanitising premises, and assessing the need for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Peter Nolan, who heads Fórsa’s two local authority divisions, said the lead worker representative had to be in place well before services begin to re-open. “In order to ensure balance across employments, sectors and unions, the agreed name will be submitted before 8th June,” he said.

Peter has instructed Fórsa officials to commence immediate discussions with the other local authority unions, which are Siptu and Connect.

“The speedy implementation of this process is of paramount importance in ensuring that union representatives play their full role in the return to work safety protocol. Fórsa is in ongoing contact with the LGMA to ensure the safety of staff and service users is prioritised,” he said.

Get Fórsa guidance on returning to your workplace safely HERE.