Take a stand: National ballot dates announced by Hannah Deasy
With no public service pay agreement in place, and no talks underway, a ballot of all Fórsa members working in the civil and public service will take place over the coming weeks. The ballot will open on Tuesday 4th August and close on Tuesday 1st September.
The dates were announced yesterday in an email to members sent by general secretary Kevin Callinan.
In the email, Kevin explained that a ballot is now needed because union negotiators did not get satisfactory commitments on a pay increase to cover the second half of this year, or on a formula to protect living standards against inflation next year and for the duration of any agreement. There was also no commitment to address the gap that developed between pay and inflation from 2021 to 2025, which is close to 5%.
Kevin said: “Rising costs are eroding pay and standards of living, but at a time of record surpluses government won’t commit to addressing your pay this year.”
“By voting yes for industrial action, you can show the government how much this matters to you and that you won’t be taken for granted.”
“You need an agreement that will protect your pay and living standards. If industrial action is what it takes to achieve that, and members vote for it, we will be ready.”
Watch members explain why they need A Better Deal
The ballot will take place online. Members will get an email from Mi-Voice, our secure, third-party ballot provider, on Tuesday 4th August which will contain a Unique Voting Code (UVC).
In the ballot members will be asked if they will take industrial action to:
secure an acceptable pay increase to cover July to December 2026, as well as increases to cover 2027 and/or the duration of any proposed agreement.
for the resolution and implementation of Local Bargaining claims.
to resist changes to work practices, organisation of work, or organisational structures without the agreement of the union.
Encouraging members to get involved in the ballot Kevin said: “We need high turnout in this ballot to send the strongest possible message. So, get involved, talk to your colleagues, consult the resources, display and distribute posters. This is about taking a stand for your pay and for communities everywhere.”
Fórsa has produced a series of resources for members which you can access on our ballot hub.
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