Fórsa is set to escalate proceedings in the ongoing dispute over the introduction of a job evaluation system for clerical and administrative staff in local authorities.

The union returned to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last Thursday (26th January) seeking an acceptable solution to the issue, but talks ended when the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) refused to negotiate.  

Fórsa’s head of local government Richy Carrothers said that there is no prospect of further engagement as the employer is unwilling to engage.

“I've indicated to the LGMA and WRC that we will be reviewing this matter with intention of industrial escalation,” he said.

The union has long sought a local authority job evaluation scheme similar to the one that operates in the HSE and the education sector. Job evaluation is an established tool that allows the knowledge, skills and responsibilities associated with individual jobs – rather than grades or staff categories – to be assessed and appropriately rewarded.

Fórsa has maintained that almost 10,000 council jobs were lost following the financial crisis, and services had only been maintained because staff had taken on additional responsibilities above their pay grades.

In addition, there are severe disparities in pay rates across the local government sector, where staff doing the same work could be paid more or less depending on which of the 31 councils they work for.

Late last year the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council employers, responded to the union business case for job evaluation, essentially dismissing the union claim. The employer also tabled new job descriptions as part of the process. 

“Local authorities suffered the greatest reduction of numbers of employees during the austerity era, which has resulted in significant grade drift in the sector. Why should these workers suffer less favourable treatment than colleagues in other sectors,” said Richy.