Last week Fórsa members working in Education and Training boards around the country began industrial action, following a ‘non-cooperation’ instruction issued by the union. 

The instruction was issued following the most recent ETB Industrial Relations Forum, attended by Fórsa, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and the Departments of Education and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).  

At this meeting, management confirmed that some 90 posts will remain unfilled until they are sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The vacant posts fall within the Organisation Support and Development (OSD) and Schools sections of Education and Training Boards. 

Chair of the NETB branch Caitriona Tuite said: “It is increasingly difficult for existing staff to fulfil their duties with so many vacant posts. There’s a direct impact on the wellbeing of our members when they are regularly being asked to take on new and additional work, on top of their day-to-day roles.” 

The instruction relates to all members affected by the vacant posts across ETBs and advises members not to carry out the duties of any vacant positions.  

Fórsa’s NETB branch has issued a survey to members, seeking to collect their views on the impact of the vacant posts, and to form a better understanding of the additional workloads they are encountering or any additional duties that members are being requested to carry out without the proper funding of additional administrative resources. 

Members working in the ETB sector can access the form here.

Caitriona urged members to take part, saying: “Please take part in the survey so that we can have a clear picture of what is going on in workplaces across the country. The better we understand the impact of the vacant posts, the more clearly we will be able to advocate on your behalf.” 

In circumstances where a vacant post is deemed to be critical to service delivery and requires temporary cover during this period, management may seek a formal derogation from the NETB branch executive for consideration and approval. All other ongoing work should not be affected by this instruction. 

Members with queries regarding the instruction should contact their local branch representative in the first instance, or email edhelp@forsa.ie.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.