The first meeting of a high-level joint union–management working group established to address the issues central to the recent dispute regarding grading and working conditions for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workers in local authorities has taken place. 

The group was established following conciliation talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in February, which took place following industrial action by ICT workers in all local authorities in Ireland. 

It will address the three issues at the heart of the dispute: continuous professional development, the establishment of a national framework for out-of-hours work and the sector wide review of ICT grading.   

Representatives from Fórsa, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and from the County and City Management Association (CCMA) met on Wednesday 11 March, in a meeting that was described by Fórsa as “productive”. 

Speaking after the meeting, head of the local government and local services division Richy Carrothers said: “The initial meeting was scheduled to work through the terms of reference that will underpin the group’s work over the coming months.  

“It is critical that the process is fit for purpose. We are intent on ensuring that the core issues core facing ICT workers are reflected in the terms of reference so we can be confident an agreement will be reached.” 

 “We have also reminded the senior management negotiators that the industrial action is simply paused, so it is in the collective interests of all concerned to reach an agreement.”  

Richy went on to say that the preliminary discussions have been positive and that Fórsa want to ensure that the process is time limited to no more than six months.  

He continued: “The next major milestone will be when the parties return to the WRC on Thursday 28th May for a progress report and to look at next steps. Once the terms of reference have been finalised, we will update members accordingly." 

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