Overtime divisor “nonsensical”
by Róisín McKane
 
Seán said that overtime, while rare, can be an important source of additional income, especially for our lower paid members.
Seán said that overtime, while rare, can be an important source of additional income, especially for our lower paid members.

Fórsa has criticised the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on their refusal to engage with the union on the issue of unfair overtime divisor, following a recommendation from the independent body assessing the Haddington Road Hours that both sides engage to resolve the issue.

 

The recommendation came following recognition that while the standard working day has reverted, the overtime divisor has not.

 

Fórsa official Seán Carabini explained that the union formally raised the issue at the Civil Service General Council earlier this week, but the matter was declared a ‘cost increasing claim’ by DPER who refused to discuss it, stating instead that it would have to be raised in the context of future pay discussions.

 

“This is a nonsensical position. The report of the independent hours review body recommended that direct talks should take place to resolve this. The department’s own minister accepted the report. And yet, when we try to raise it, the department officials refuse to engage with the issue,” he said.

 

Seán said that overtime, while rare, can be an important source of additional income, especially for our lower paid members.

 

“Doing nothing is not an option here. We must push back against a situation that sees a reversion in working hours but no reversion in overtime rates. And we have to draw attention to the fact that the Department of Public Expenditure, by adopting this line, is effectively ignoring the recommendations of a report that has been accepted by its own minister,” he said.

 

Fórsa is seeking to progress the issue further and is discussing next steps with other civil service unions.

 

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