Fórsa will be marching for Palestine once again on Saturday 22nd March 2025 and you’re invited to join our delegation in the trade union bloc to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and call for an end to the genocide.  

Fórsa members are invited to meet from 12.30pm outside the Mandate Trade Union offices on Cavendish Row (across the road from the Gate Theatre). Flags will be available for collection from the Nerney’s Court office at 12.15pm.  

The march will begin at the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm and finish outside the Dáil on Molesworth Street/Kildare Street to bring our demands to the Irish government’s doorstep. 

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, supported by over 150 Irish civil society organisations, called for a national demonstration this month, stating: “Despite a fragile ceasefire bringing an end to Israel’s genocidal carpet bombing of Gaza, Israel continues to routinely violate the terms of the ceasefire, and has escalated attacks on Palestinians in the illegally occupied West Bank, with 40,000 forcibly displaces from refugees camps, and widespread attacks on the healthcare system. In the ruins of Gaza, they are still counting the dead, with around 62,000 now feared dead, and children still dying from cold, malnutrition, and lack of medicine.” 

This demonstration takes place during ‘Anti-Racism Month’ and will be the first event of Israeli Apartheid Week 2025 – a global week of action, now in its 20th year, being organised in hundreds of towns and cities across the world under the slogan of ‘People Power Makes Apartheid History’. 

If you are interested in being more involved with Fórsa’s Palestine demonstrations or would like to receive regular updates on the union’s activities in this area, contact campaigns@forsa.ie.   

Join us in standing for justice, peace, and human rights! 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

The third annual Robert Tressell Festival will take place in Liberty Hall in Dublin on Saturday 24th May 2025. Following last year’s highly successful event, the festival of debate, music and drama includes a range of leading international and Irish labour movement figures. 

Tressell festival committee member and Fórsa official, Lisa Connell stated that the Robert Tressell Festival celebrates everything that the labour movement has to offer, particularly in terms of art, culture and real left-wing solutions to societal problems. 

Lisa explained, “The event is a safe space that allows for the trade union movement in Ireland to discuss the best ways to keep the wheels of progress turning with our international union sisters and brothers.” 

Festival publicity organiser and SIPTU official Paddy Cole said: “Building on the success of last year’s Tressell Festival we hope to bring together trade unionists, working class people and political activists from Ireland, Britain and the U.S. to debate and discuss how we can combat the carnival of reaction that is unfolding around the world. We are particularly honoured to have Senator Bernie Sanders deliver the Annual Robert Tressell Festival address this year.” 

Tickets are available here.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Over the past year, Fórsa has partnered with See Beyond Borders Ireland to improve the quality of primary education in Cambodia.

Thanks to over €20,000 in donations from the Fórsa Developing World Fund, See Beyond Borders has successfully continued its Transform Education Programme, improving the school experience for more than 3,000 children across 20 government primary schools in the remote rural districts of Krahlanh and Srei Snam in Siem Reap province, Cambodia.  

Children in this region face significant challenges in accessing quality education, but this project is changing that by empowering teachers and school leaders to make a lasting impact. 

By the end of the first year of the programme, 84 teachers were empowered to identify and actively pursue their professional development goals through the Teacher Professional Identity and Leadership in Learning modules. They achieved this by participating in workshops, attending monthly reflective sessions, and receiving ongoing mentoring. 

32 school leaders were also equipped with the knowledge and skills to drive progressive teaching and learning practices across 20 primary schools. This was achieved through leadership workshops, and ongoing support, including school visits, online meetings, and reflective sessions. 

Community engagement events were also successfully held in 16 schools a part of this program. These events, named 'Education Inspires', were led and organised by school leaders, with parents invited to see their children's learning displayed and observe their learning processes. Teachers also showcased their work and explained their roles to parents, outlining how parents could better contribute to their children's education. 

The overall impact on student learning in the first year was also extremely positive, 22% of students achieved proficiency in literacy - exceeding the 18% target, and proving that interventions to enhance school leadership and teaching practices effectively contributed to improved student learning outcomes. 

Funded by 3% of every member’s union subscription, the Fórsa Developing World Fund gives over €600,000 a year to projects around the world, allowing Fórsa members to directly assist in crucial humanitarian efforts and support human rights and development activities in various countries. 

For 15 years, See Beyond Borders has been committed to empowering Cambodian children through quality education, engaging with over 250 schools and supporting more than 700 teachers, positively impacting the lives of over 30,000 students. 

Founded by Ed and Kate Shuttleworth, the organisation was inspired by the challenges they witnessed during a visit to Cambodia in 2002.  

For decades now, Cambodia has been experiencing what the World Bank calls ‘a learning crisis’. On average, a Cambodian child will spend just 4.7 years in school, with less than 3% of Cambodian children reaching minimum learning standards in numeracy and literacy.

Fórsa’s national secretary Richy Carrothers highlighted the impact of the union’s contributions, noting that Cambodia has one of the youngest populations globally. He emphasised that, thanks to Fórsa members’ support, teaching and learning opportunities were enhanced for over 3,000 children this year alone—children who might not have had the same opportunity otherwise. 

Speaking about the broader significance of the initiative, he said, “The work of organisations such as See Beyond Borders is essential in addressing the learning crisis in Cambodia. These children’s futures are on the line, not only their education. Positive learning can shape and transform the lives of every single one of these children.” 

Richy also expressed Fórsa’s pride in supporting See Beyond Borders and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to the cause: “We at Fórsa are very proud to support the incredible work See Beyond Borders do in providing quality education and support to empower Cambodian children, and Fórsa has committed to a total project spend of €60,000 over three years.’ 

You can learn more about See Beyond Borders here.  Watch our video about Fórsa’s global solidarity work here. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

March is shaping up to be a busy month for Fórsa’s Skills Academy, with an exciting range of training opportunities available. 

Level 1 Workplace Rep Training, 25th-27th March – Wexford  

This three-day course will give new workplace representatives a firm understanding of the basic skills and information needed to effectively carry out their duties as a representative. The course is open to workplace reps with less than 2 years of experience as a representative who have previously attended Fórsa Induction or its predecessor course Fórsa 101. 

Attendees will be taken through a number of topics crucial to becoming a successful rep, including: the role and responsibilities of the workplace representative, organising and recruiting members, industrial relations, handling members' problems and local representation, and much more. 

Members looking to attend can register here. 

Level 2 Workplace Rep Training Part 3 – Health & Safety, 18th March - Galway  

Reps who have already completed the Level 1 Workplace Representative training and wish to take on the Level 2 training may be interested in this session in Galway. This course will cover part 3 – Health and Safety and will go towards earning a certificate of completion. This programme consists of three parts which must all be completed, though not in a specific order. 

Applications will close as soon as course capacity is reached. If you are interested in this training, please contact skillsacademy@forsa.ie to apply. 

Live: Lunch & Learn: Make learning easier, assistive technologies for students, 28th March - Online  

Access UCC has created a resource on free Technology to Make Learning Easier. It consists of free, built-in tech to make reading, writing, planning and studying easier. Deirdre Madden, Assistive Technology Outreach Co-ordinator at Access UCC, will share her experience working in disability support and take attendees through the Make Learning Easier resource. 

This will be of especially interest to SNAs and members working in education and disability support. 

Registration will be open soon. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.  Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.  

Fórsa’s health and welfare divisional executive committee met on Wednesday, 5th March 2025 and agreed that Fórsa will serve notice of industrial action in the HSE and Section 38 hospitals on Monday,10th March. 

Three weeks’ notice is required of any industrial action in the health service.  

In November, Fórsa members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to the HSE’s Pay and Numbers strategy (PNS), which replaced the recruitment embargo.  

The ballot came during a wave of protests around the country where members spoke movingly about the impact reduced staff and resources has had on their working lives, on patients, and on the services they deliver. These protests brought together health service workers from several unions, many of which also held ballots in late 2024. 

Last Thursday 27th February, Fórsa and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) held a meeting bringing together workplace reps and activists. At the meeting, Joint Organising Committees (JOC) for each health region met for the first time, appointed chairs and secretaries, and began to develop localised strategies for industrial action.  

Head of the health and welfare division of Fórsa, Ashley Connolly said: “This is a new approach and one that we believe will have a significant impact in the weeks ahead. Crucially it will provide us with the localised information on vacant posts and staff shortages that the HSE have refused to provide.” 

National secretary Linda Kelly said: “The HSE has consistently refused to engage with us in relation to the Pay and Numbers dispute. It’s time to show them what happens when our members stop covering up the cracks in the HSE’s chaotic approach to workforce planning.” 

“The people working in the health service aren’t just numbers. Without them there is no health service. Members are advocating for the resources that are desperately needed to provide the services people desperately need.” 

If you have any queries, please contact your branch executive or official in the first instance. Further updates to members will issue on 10th March. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Engagement will resume today (Friday) at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), on pay in health service employments in the community and voluntary sector, better known as Section 39, 56, and 10 organisations, following renewed and lengthy engagement earlier this week, on Monday 3rd March. 

As talks adjourned late on Monday night, the ICTU-led group of unions, which includes Fórsa, issued a statement to say talks would reconvene at 10am this morning and confirm that some progress was made but that “several outstanding issues remain to be resolved.” 

Monday’s talks followed union efforts to recommence WRC negotiations, adjourned late last year. The current Programme for Government, published in January, contains a commitment to "to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of disability services and the long-term viability of organisations within the sector."  

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, has presented a plan to Cabinet on the matter. Unions continued to pursue the completion of a talks process aimed at creating pay parity between healthcare workers in the sector and their equivalents in the HSE and Section 38 employments.   

The 2023 WRC agreement provided for a process to re-establish the link to public service pay terms, as the community and voluntary sector continues with the challenge of recruiting and retaining skilled healthcare workers.  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Workplace reps from children’s disability network teams met last Friday 28th February to consider the proposals from management. The proposals from HSE and Lead Agency management had been outlined to Fórsa at Joint Union Management Forum (JUMF) on Monday 24th February, setting out the allocation of Interim Discipline Manager posts for children’s disability network teams (CDNTs). Members made it clear that they want recruitment to begin immediately. 

Last year agreement was reached in Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) negotiations that 54 interim discipline managers would be hired across the 6 Health and Social Care Professions (HSCP) present in CDNTs, namely speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, dietetics, and psychology. 

Members have asked for an explicit agreement that new hires will have a review at three months in post to assess numbers allocated, caseload allocation and In Charge III designation. This would be in addition to the evaluation at the end of the interim period.  

Job specs for these roles were previously circulated and agreed.  

Discipline managers have a detailed understanding of the nature of, and challenges associated with, the specialised roles they will supervise.  

Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly said: “Discipline specific experience is essential to the provision of clinical governance and safe services for children with complex needs. These Discipline Manager posts have long been fought for by our members and it is important that the recruitment campaigns start now. Filling these roles will enable members working in these services to do their jobs better and enhance patient care.” 

Linda continued: “There is a desperate need to increase the staffing numbers in children’s disability network teams. Parents and workers are all sounding the same alarm: there simply aren’t enough staff to provide the services needed. The creation of these posts will have a significant impact of increasing the confidence of HSCP staff to work within CDNTs”  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Fórsa has reached out to its 3,200 members at the Child and Family agency, Tusla, seeking their response to the agency’s organisational reform plans.  

Documents on Tusla’s organisational reform were published in February 2025 and distributed to Fórsa’s membership in Tusla on 26th February in a special bulletin.

Fórsa assistant general secretary Tony Martin invited members to make their assessment of the reform plan documents and encouraged them to give their own feedback to their union representatives: “This is the single most important piece of change since Tusla was established in 2013 and will be instrumental in shaping the next phase of Tusla’s development.  

“That’s why it’s crucial that we get feedback from members. Fórsa will compile those responses, and this feedback will inform our engagement with management.” 

“This is a work-in-progress, and the more members tell us about how the provisions in these documents will affect them and their work, the better Fórsa will be able to ensure this process of organisational reform benefits all stakeholders, not least the sizable number of Fórsa members working for Tusla,” he said. 

Tony added that the proposed organisational reform will only be finalised once everything is agreed, and said the initial feedback from the membership would be used to create a comprehensive survey of members. 

Fórsa members at Tusla are encouraged to direct feedback through local workplace leaders, branches and officials. You can also email your queries to Fórsa colleagues Liz Brennan or Kate Miskella.  

The two organisational change documents are also available to view here and here. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Hospital pharmacy technicians are invited to complete a survey on issues related to pay, and terms and conditions of employment. The results of this survey will help form a claim to be submitted on behalf of the group as part of local bargaining.  

A key feature of Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, local bargaining is a process that addresses collective issues specific to a grade, group or category. It offers groups the opportunity to access 3% of their collective pay to address issues that directly affect them. 

The survey was developed in collaboration with the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT), the national representative body for hospital pharmacy technicians. Together, Fórsa representatives and the NAHPT were able to outline priority issues facing hospital pharmacy technicians. The responses to this survey will determine the priority of each issue in the local bargaining claim. 

Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly, underlined the unique opportunity available to members through local bargaining. She said, “This is your claim, let us know what is most important to you.” 

“It’s a great opportunity to give your opinion on pay and career structures. While the Public Service Agreement you approved by ballot last year outlined the local bargaining process, there is no automatic entitlement to the funds available without negotiation,” she continued. 

Hospital pharmacy technician members who wish to fill out the survey can find it here.

The survey is only open to Fórsa members. If you know a hospital pharmacy technician who is not a member and wants to have a say, let them know about the survey and direct them to join via our website.

The survey will close on Monday 10th March 2025 at 5pm. The results will then be considered by the committee to finalise the claim. Members will be updated as the claim progresses.   

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

On Friday 21st February Fórsa lodged a local bargaining claim on behalf of Executive Officers, Higher Executive Officers, Grade 4 -7s in the civil service and related grades in the public service (health, education and local government sectors). 

Local bargaining is a national bargaining process for collective issues specific to a grade, group or category. This is the third local bargaining claim Fórsa has lodged. 

Last week, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan met with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR) in his capacity as Chair of the ICTU Public Services Committee, to finalise the local bargaining units. Department officials acknowledged that Fórsa has now submitted three local bargaining claims.  

Speaking about the engagement, Kevin said: “The members covered by this claim were surveyed in advance, and their responses informed the nature of the claim.” 

“For local bargaining to have a real impact on members’ lives, it is vital that members have a chance to input into claims early in the process. Members’ support will also be pivotal in securing the claims. There are no automatic entitlements here, these claims will need to be negotiated, fought for and won.” 

Following a similar approach to the claim submitted on behalf of Clerical Officers and related grades, this claim seeks to reduce the length of time it takes to move up each scale, to eliminate the waiting period for Long Service Increments (LSI), and to add an increase to the maximum point of each scale. 

Deputy general secretary Éamonn Donnelly submitted the claim on behalf of members. Éamonn stated: “Three local bargaining claims have now been submitted on behalf of Fórsa members. Taking members’ views on board, we have taken a common approach and adapted the claim to each grade and role that is covered. We’ll keep you informed as the process unfolds.”  

The claim is as follows: 

• Removal of points 6 and 10 of the Executive Officer scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Executive Officer scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Executive Officer scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 6 of the Higher Executive Officer scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Higher Executive Officer scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Higher Executive Officer scale. 

• Removal of points 6 and 8 of the Grade 4 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 4 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 4 scale. 

• Removal of points 2 and 5 of the Grade 5 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 5 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 5 scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 5 of the Grade 6 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 6 scale. An increase of 3.5% to the absolute maximum point of the Grade 6 scale. 

• Removal of points 3 and 6 of the Grade 7 scale. Removal of the 3 years waiting criteria for Long Service Increments on the Grade 7 scale. An increase of 3.5% on the absolute maximum point of the Grade 7 scale. 

You can read the claim here.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Public service pay scales are currently being amended to reflect an increase of 2% of gross pay, or €1000, whichever is the greater, effective from 1st March. 

The pay adjustment was due under the existing terms of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, negotiated by unions last year and overwhelmingly accepted in a ballot of Fórsa members in March 2024. 

Workers earning under 50k will receive a flat rate increase of €1000 to their annualised pay. This means lower paid workers will receive a higher percentage increase. For example, a Clerical Office on the first point of their pay scale will see their pay increase from €29,810 to €30,810, a 3.4% increase. 

Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan said “When we were negotiating the Public Service Agreement, the cost-of-living crisis was very much to the fore in our minds. It made including flat rate increases for lower paid workers really important. They ensure our colleagues being hit the hardest have a better chance of maintaining a decent standard of living.”   

The agreement covers the period from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2026 and makes provisions for pay improvements worth 9.25% – with a further 1% available for local bargaining – for public sector workers. The next scheduled pay increase will be an additional 1% for all workers and will come into effect on 1st August. 

Updated pay scales for the Health and Welfare division will be made available here on our website shortly. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Over 70% of Fórsa members are women. On the eve of International Women’s Day we acknowledge the contributions of women activists in our union, as well as highlighting what we’re doing to improve the working lives of women in Ireland today.

International Women’s Day has trade unionism at its heart. In recent years it may have become a byword for celebration, but its origins in the early 20th century lie firmly with women trade unionists campaigning for better working conditions, pay and representation for women. 

Our recent campaigns for paid domestic violence leave and to stop the stigma around periods and menopause in the workplace came from members of our union, women who raised issues, and wrote motions, advocating to get these issues on the union’s agenda. In turn that allowed activists to work together on campaigns that ultimately led to real, lasting change for women in Ireland.

Fórsa activist Linda O’Sullivan brought the issue of domestic violence to the union’s biennial conference  in 2022. Linda said: “Knowing that the union had my back and cared about this issue made a huge difference. When you stand together you can achieve so much more. From that motion we began the journey to making paid domestic violence leave a legal reality. We won’t stop until DV leave is extended to 10 paid days.”  

Fórsa’s general election manifesto, launched last November, called for a number of key commitments to improve gender equality in the workplace. 

Policy officer Aisling Cusack said: “In the manifesto we called for a commitment to amend the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act and Employment Equality Act to protect employees affected by period or menopause-related symptoms in the workplace; as well as highlighting the need to ensure the implementation of free access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate painful and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.”

“We’re also calling for full implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026. Public provision of affordable childcare that is accessible for all families is another priority.  Without it, Irish women’s participation in the workforce will continue to be one of the lowest in the European Union.”

ICTU vice president and Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan said: “In addition to our work on gender issues there are many more campaigns and policies we are working on that would enhance everyone’s working lives, not least women. Measures like granting trade union reps a statutory right to facilitate union meetings during working hours at times that suit workers, and don't impact on family and caring responsibilities would make a huge difference. In turn this would increase gender balance in all unions, and workplaces. Our union's strength is our members, so this IWD, tell your female colleagues who aren't in the union that it's time they joined."

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has launched a new digital trade unionism toolkit as a ‘one-stop shop’ to help activists navigate future challenges. 

The ‘Digital Revolution Toolkit’ is designed to equip trade union activists with the necessary tools to adapt to an era defined by rapid technological advancement and shifting socioeconomic landscapes, where unions find themselves at a critical juncture.  

The toolkit represents a synthesis of lessons learned, best practices identified, and innovative strategies devised to confront the challenges of our time. Activists can access practical tips and strategies to help unions thrive in the digital age here.

Fórsa’s digital director Kate O’Sullivan and campaigns director Kevin Donoghue contributed to its development.  

Speaking about its impact, Kate, a key contributor to its creation as a member of the ETUC committee for digital trade unionism, emphasised that the new guidance aims to help activists understand and apply digital tools to their campaigning and organising activities. “The vast majority of us spend a significant amount of time online, both personally and professionally, so trade unions must have a presence there too,” she said. “This toolkit is about sharing what works best and strengthening our movement.”  

The digital toolkit addresses a broad range of challenges, offering practical guidance on resource shortages, technological advancements, data-driven decision-making, GDPR compliance, countering far-right narratives online, member recruitment and retention, and effective online campaigning. 

The toolkit is the result of a comprehensive two-year project led by ETUC. Funded by the European Union, it aims to help national trade unions enhance their digital campaigns, boost their membership, and organise more effectively.  

Fórsa’s director of campaigns Kevin Donoghue said: “Precarious contracts, bogus self-employment and the rise of platform work are all making it harder for unions to reach workers. In parallel, the rise of the far-right poses a direct threat to the fundamental principles of social justice and workers’ rights that unions champion. Now more than ever we must be as active online as we are offline if we want to effectively organise workers.” 

The European Trade Confederation represents 45 million members from 94 trade union organisations in 42 European countries, as well as 10 European Trade Union Federations. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa. 

Last year union members across Ireland came together to host events during the first ever Trade Union Week, held as part of the Better in a Trade Union campaign. The campaign aims to build union membership across Ireland by highlighting the value of union membership and advocating for collective action.  

Now entering its second year, Trade Union Week 2025 will take place Monday 28th April to Friday 2nd May.  

ICTU Vice President and Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan said: “Last year’s Trade Union Week was a huge success. From a Christy Moore gig in Dun Laoghaire to a book reading in Wexford, and in hospitals, schools and offices all around the country, our members celebrated what it means to be in a union and most importantly recruited new members. Branches that hosted workplace events experienced a remarkable 25% increase in recruitment compared to the same week the previous year.” 

Forsa’s director of campaigns Kevin Donoghue said: “Organising a Trade Union Week event is a great way to talk to potential members about why being in the union matters to them. This year we’re encouraging branches to work with other unions in their workplace to host joint events.” 

“There were high levels of participation among branches last year and we are aiming to expand on that this year. We have bespoke merchandise available to order and event guidance for anyone who needs it.”  

Branch chairs and secretaries have received a link to an order form. If you're interested in hosting an event contact your branch or email campaigns@forsa.ie.

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.