Fórsa is commencing a ballot of Pobal members working in Better Start in a dispute with management regarding their refusal to implement the recommendations of an independent report on pay for Grade 2 early years specialists.

Fórsa is recommending that Grade 2 members vote yes to commence industrial action, up to and including strike action in the electronic ballot. Members will receive voting details by email.

The union has engaged in talks with management both locally and at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but to date management have refused to constructively engage.

In a note to members, Fórsa Derek Kelleher explained the union delivered a petition calling on Pobal to implement the findings of a report.

“We delivered a petition signed by 86% of Pobal’s early years specialist Grade 2 workers calling for the findings of the Talbot Pierce report to be implemented. Unfortunately, management have refused to constructively engage on this issue and continue to refuse to extend the salary scale,” he said.

Derek called on members to vote yes in the ballot.

“We believe a strong vote in favour of industrial action will show management that you will not be disrespected and will force them back into negotiations,” he said.  

The Fórsa Pobal House Committee will be holding meetings to deal with any questions members may have in relation to the ballot and potential industrial action. Details of these meetings have been emailed to members.

Fórsa has appealed to members to ensure their contact details are up-to-date to guarantee their voice is heard. 

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