Fórsa met with the Secretary General of the Department of Employee and Social Protection (DEASP) earlier this week to discuss a number of items, including the ‘Return to Work Protocol’ agreed between unions, employers and the Government.

Fórsa made it clear that there would be no flexibility on the ‘Return to Work Protocol’, and warned the Department against prematurely extending the public office hours in Intreo Centres until the agreed procedures has been fully implemented. The union also sought assurances that the Department would fully engage with Fórsa on any return to work plans.

Head of the union’s Civil Service division Derek Mullen advised that full implementation of the ‘Return to Work Protocol’ would not be possible in the timeframe laid down by DEASP, and as such “Fórsa could not be party to measures that put the health and safety of our members and customers at risk”.

In a follow up letter Derek expressed “extreme dissatisfaction” that the DEASP had proceeded to brief staff locally about an extension of public office opening as early as next week, despite Fórsa’s demand for consultation.

These proposals have now been deferred following urgent representations from Fórsa officials.

Future engagement

The department was advised that full engagement and negotiation would need to take place through the normal industrial relations structure on all the key issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis, including any modernisation proposals or change arising from the Department’s Organisation Transition Board.

“We must have agreement on the transition from Covid-19 contingency arrangements to standard arrangements, including issues such as attendance arrangements,” Derek said.

Childcare

Fórsa also highlighted the ongoing childcare challenges facing DEASP members, with some workers forced to take unpaid leave to care for children.

Fórsa official Paul MacSweeney explained that these challenges will be exacerbated if the issue of childcare is not addressed, particularly if members who are currently working remotely are forced to attend workplaces where hours of opening have been extended.

Reiterating the importance of enhanced remote working arrangements, Paul called on the department to do more to ensure as many employees as possible could be facilitated to work remotely, in line with government guidelines.

He also sought clarification from the Department as to why it plans to return Intreo Centres to near full opening hours in the second phase of opening up the economy: “Customers are being dealt with effectively and efficiently while our members in DEASP continue to work remotely.

"We have questioned why staff, customers, public transport users and the wider public are being put at greater risk by extending face-to-face services at a time when the virus remains in circulation when these services are currently provided in a safer manner online,” he said.

Engagement between the union and the DEASP is expected to continue.

Read Fórsa’s advice on returning to your workplace HERE. 

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