In January, Fórsa, along with the healthcare group of unions, attended the Labour Court in relation to the ongoing Health Service Executive (HSE) staffing dispute.  

The unions had engaged in conciliation at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) throughout the autumn of 2025, under the review mechanism included in the WRC agreement reached in March last year. The union side then referred the issue to the Labour Court arguing that the HSE was in breach of the agreement.  

Following the hearing, the Labour Cour has now issued a recommendation, which clearly states that the consultation on staffing set out in the agreement has not taken place, and that the HSE must engage with unions.  

The Court also recommended the establishment of a sub-committee to oversee progress on agency conversions, promotions, and filling of maternity vacancies. 

Head of the union’s health division Ashley Connolly said: “We welcome the Court’s recommendation, in which they accepted that the HSE had breached the agreement. Our members are dealing with the consequences of short staffing every day, as are patients the length and breadth of this country.”   

“In its recommendation, the Court has set out rules as to what constitutes consultation on staffing levels and set out a timebound process for meaningful engagement on the workforce plan, which must take place by April of this year. This obliges the HSE to engage in good faith and we will push to make real progress now,” she continued.   

National secretary Linda Kelly said: “This recommendation significantly strengthens our position regarding the non-filling of vacant posts and maternity cover, which we know is a very serious issue for our members.  

She added “At the recent launch of a study we commissioned on morale among healthcare workers, we heard of the apologies workers make to their colleagues when they announce their pregnancy because they know what the consequences will be for their colleagues and patients. That must change.”  

Fórsa, as part of a wider group of healthcare unions, will now engage in further processes with the HSE as recommended by the Labour Court.  Member updates will continue to issue regularly.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.