Fórsa has sought a second WRC hearing, following an engagement on 10th July last, over Galway City Council’s proposed relocation of its public offices. The planned relocation would affect around 150 indoor staff who are members of Fórsa. 

The council’s purchase of a new building at Crown Square has proved controversial, with local media reports focusing on the speed of the decision to purchase the new premises in 2022, at an estimated total cost of €56 million. 

Councillors were given just three days to make a decision on receipt of a recommendation they approve a loan to purchase the new building. It’s widely reported that there was no public consultation in relation to the move, and Fórsa has opposed the relocation due to the absence of any consultation with staff.

Fórsa official Padraig Mulligan says this is a breach of legislation underpinning the current public service pay agreement: “The lack of any consultation is a breach of legislation, that’s why we referred it to the WRC.

“We had a hearing in July and have now sought an urgent intervention by the WRC on the basis that the union has several outstanding issues we need to pursue.

“Management has provided an initial response to a series of questions tabled by the union, but the answers are far from satisfactory,” he said.

Padraig said members have raised issues of accessibility, public transport links and the loss of a civic presence in Galway city centre. The submission to the WRC covered a range of issues. In addition to the absence of consultation, Fórsa raised environmental concerns in addition to public access and engagement.

 
He added: “The circumstances around the approval, purchase and decision to move premises raises a lot of questions, not the least of these is issues of governance. Our members at the council are taking a strong position on this, the lack of staff consultation is completely unacceptable.

“Relocating the offices will effectively put the council’s services out of reach for many service users, as public transport links are totally inadequate.

“The council’s presence in the city centre is a sustainable and important feature of the services offered by the council. The move to Crown Square isn’t adding value to those services, it’s undermining them,” he said.

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