Fórsa has completed an operational review of the union’s progress in the three years since it was created in January 2018.

The review took place throughout 2021, and a detailed paper was tabled at a recent meeting of the union’s elected National Executive Committee (NEC), which adopted its conclusions.

The process explored a range of factors that contribute to union strength, influence, organisation and activity, including progress on negotiating and industrial priorities, supports to branches and activists, campaigning, and member engagement and empowerment.

The review made comparisons between the pre- and post-amalgamation performance, while also identifying areas that require improvement or a renewed focus. This encompassed any improvements that were expected to arise from the merger, but which have yet to be realised.

Fórsa branches were invited to make submissions to the process. The review was overseen by union officials and the NEC.

Fórsa national secretary Billy Hannigan, who led the project, acknowledged the substantial work of the union to date, and said that while there is still a significant body of work which needs to be undertaken to realise the ambition which led to the creation of Fórsa in the first place.

“The new union is better than the sum of its three parts. This is particularly true even if the only measurement were against the industrial priorities advanced since the formation of the union. These represent considerable advances when considered on their own. This is more so when it is considered that they were achieved against the backdrop of a global pandemic,” he said.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan welcomed the review.

“There is a requirement that right across the union we focus our attentions on delivering the opportunities in the Fórsa strategic plan to build a better and stronger union for our members. The strategic plan commits us to be always striving to be the best at what we do. Our members deserve nothing less and I look forward to continuing our work on their behalf as we strive to deliver on the promise of our strategic plan,” he said.

Read the review document HERE.