The results of the 2025 Fórsa member survey paint a vivid picture of a workforce feeling the squeeze, but also ready to stand together and fight for change. More than 14,000 members working in public service employments, across all divisions, took part in the survey.  

This is the third year running Fórsa have surveyed members to gain a clearer understanding of their concerns. Policy officer Aisling Cusack emphasised that although surveys might appear to be routine, they’re not about “ticking a box or collecting numbers for a report.”  

"Every response helps us understand where members stand. When members take the time to fill the surveys out, they’re not just giving opinions, they’re shaping the next steps in our collective fight for fair pay, better conditions, and a stronger voice at work,” she said.  

The results were outlined by general secretary Kevin Callinan at a packed consultative council in Nerney’s Court on Tuesday 4th November.  

Under Pressure  

The first set of findings deliver a stark warning on the strains facing society. Nearly three out of four members (73%) say their standard of living has worsened over the past two years, with 37% reporting that it has worsened significantly. Members earning under €50,000, especially those working in the Health and Welfare and Education divisions, feel the hardest hit.  

The cost-of-living crisis, rising housing costs, and pressures on public services have left many struggling to make ends meet. It’s no surprise then that 84% of members say it’s extremely important that the next public service pay agreement delivers real pay increases, and raises that beat inflation. 

Hybrid and Flexibility  

Beyond pay, members want control over their time- something that is fundamental to leading a balanced life.  

The top-ranked priorities are protecting hybrid and remote working (55%), a shorter working week without loss of pay (54%), and protecting flexible hours (53%).  
 
“Most members feel as strongly about these priorities as they do about pay itself . And that is telling us something that we have to respond to,” says Kevin Callinan. “Particularly when you factor in that lots of our members, in particular sectors, for instance, could never work from home, such as those who work in schools or healthcare settings, so that amplifies those figures even more.”  

“There’s a major battle now to protect remote and hybrid work, and not just in the public service but across the economy. We have to be proactive and protect the only positive to come out of the pandemic.”  

The Four-Day Week  

The survey also revealed that a four-day week is no longer a fringe idea. It’s gaining serious traction among union members. Over half of Fórsa members want a shorter working week without loss of pay, and most feel just as strongly about winning that as they do about higher wages. 

Kevin tied this to the deeper pressures members face. “We have 2.9 million people at work, and we have more women participating in the labour market than ever before, but there is huge pressure on people. People are really struggling to balance all sorts of things, like long commutes and caring responsibilities. People want time back to live.” 

The Common Good  

Beyond the workplace, Fórsa members are thinking about how they can shape wider society. Asked which ‘common good’ issue Fórsa should campaign for more public investment in, members named healthcare (32%) as their top priority, followed by housing (19%), with care for older people, education, and childcare close behind. 

These results reflect not just personal experience but shared frustration with underfunded public systems. And while the government hasn’t engaged with ‘common good’ issues in national pay talks for over 17 years, three-quarters (74%) of members want that commitment brought back.  

Up for Action

The data also shows a strong collective spirit emerging. More than eight in ten members say they’re willing to take action with colleagues, to sign a pledge, attend a rally, or engage in collective action to win a better deal.  

Kevin connected the results to the upcoming public service agreement negotiations, expected to kick off towards the middle of next year. 

“We have to set the agenda now. It’s time to organise and build our power. Through this survey members have clearly told us what matters most to them. Fórsa’s greatest strength lies not only in numbers but in the solidarity that connects those members.” 

“Unless we’re prepared, we’re not going to be able to secure our priorities in the next public service agreement. The prospects for the next talks are going to depend on how we prepare and how we build our power in the workplace. In the weeks and months ahead, we will roll out a national campaign that places these issues front and central, and every member of our union will have a role to play in that campaign to build our strength ahead of those negotiations.” 

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