In recent weeks several meetings have taken place between Fórsa and the Department of Public Expenditure concerning the claims on behalf of clerical, administrative and executive grades, submitted under the local bargaining clause of the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026. 

As the claims Fórsa has submitted are cross-sectoral, representatives from across the union took part. These discussions focus on claims related to civil service grades and the public sector grades linked to them. Claims for other grades not linked to these will be submitted and discussed separately within each sector. 

Deputy general secretary, and head of the civil service division Éamonn Donnelly explained that while the first meeting had focused on agreeing the process, it was also confirmed that many grades for which claims have been submitted will follow the ‘marker grade claims’. 

Éamonn said: “Members will be aware that we submitted several core claims earlier this year, the first for clerical officers and grade 3 roles, the second for executive officers, administrative officers, higher executive officers and those working in grades 4-7, and the third for engineer grades 1, 2, and 3. These are being considered as marker grades, which means that whatever is agreed for these claims will be applicable to the grades across the public sector which are linked to those civil service grades.” 

He continued: “Within the civil service we will compile an exceptions list for those grades where members have indicated they do not wish to follow the marker grades.” 

The subsequent meetings discussed methodology for costing of the claims, clarity on details of the claims, and a ‘management ask’ set out by DPER for the civil service, which Fórsa is arguing does not relate to the provisions of the PSA. 

On the nature of the claims Éamonn said: “These are reasonable claims. It takes a CO 19 years to get through their pay scale, the claim would reduce it to 11 years. Long Service Increments (LSIs) were created as rewards but now the waiting times penalise people’s pensions. These issues need to be addressed, and local bargaining is a great way to do that.” 

The parties will re-convene on 27th August. In the meantime, work will continue between the parties to agree on the detail of the established pay relationships between professional & technical grades and the marker grades. 

Commenting on the meetings, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “It’s encouraging that these talks are now underway. We want to make sure this new process of collective bargaining is done properly so that our members get the full benefit of what’s on the table, not just in the civil service but for all Fórsa members in every part of the public service.” 

In relation to the 1st of September date cited in the agreement, Kevin said: “It’s unfortunate that this process is behind schedule, even though we submitted the first claim over 7 months ago, discussions didn’t begin for a long time.” 

He continued: “For years grades, groups and categories couldn’t have specific issues addressed, and now they can. The PSA allows for local bargaining claims up to 3% of payroll, and we went directly to members to ask them what they wanted to lodge claims on. In many cases you were very clear that you want us to negotiate on the length of time it takes to advance through a pay scale, and an end to the waiting time for long service increments. The result is a clear mandate that we will continue to pursue.” 

Read previous coverage of local bargaining here: 

• Fórsa pushes for local bargaining negotiations to begin  
• Members shape latest local bargaining claim 
• First Local Bargaining claim lodged 

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Fórsa’s international solidarity fund has sponsored jerseys and kits for the GAA Palestine Moataz Sarsour hurling club ahead of their now-cancelled summer tour. 

In anticipation of the GAA Palestine summer tour, Fórsa worked with O’Neills Sportswear to provide full sets of kits for the young players of the Moataz Sarsour GAA club, including jerseys, shorts, tracksuits, and helmets.  

The sponsored kits were due to be presented to the young hurlers on their arrival in Ireland. Unfortunately, the club’s visas were rejected on contested grounds, and Fórsa had to make alternative arrangements to ensure the club received their kits. 

The kits have now arrived and are being proudly sported by the young hurlers during their summer camp in Jordan. 

Stephen Redmond of GAA Palestine said, "We’re proud to share the new Moataz Sarsour GAA club shirts, marking a special moment for our club and community. The children are absolutely delighted with the new kits, which not only reflect our values and identity but also carry the powerful human rights 'Peace Dove' logo – a symbol of hope and solidarity that has already attracted international media attention.” 

“We are sincerely grateful to the Fórsa team for their continued support and the meaningful collaboration that brought this project to life. Their dedication and efforts in working alongside us have made a real impact. With this growing international recognition, we’re confident that Fórsa’s message will now reach a new and wider audience, further strengthening the connection between sport, human rights, and community." 

Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan said, “Gaelic games can bring out the best in us. It teaches us solidarity, caring for others in our communities, and striving to be better. By sponsoring these jerseys, we are sending a message of solidarity and hope for the future. Even in the darkest of times every person needs hope. 

“It was disappointing that the young hurlers didn’t get to visit or experience the warm community that is the grassroots GAA and that we didn’t get to present the kits and jerseys to the children in person.” 

According to Kevin, the kits have taken on a life of their own, being shared widely across social media, and with calls being made to Fórsa from people looking for where they can buy them. 

He said, “We have received quite a few requests to make the kits available for purchase. We are looking into it. If we are able to make them available, it will only be if the proceeds go directly to GAA Palestine.” 

Following the last-minute refusal of visas and the need to rearrange the summer tour into a summer camp in Jordan, it is estimated GAA Palestine has lost 38,000 euro. To help GAA Palestine recoup the loss and continue providing a safe haven for young Palestinians you can donate here.

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As Fórsa activist, your voice is your power. That’s why we’re kicking off the Autumn training season with two vital workshops to help sharpen your communications skills and strengthen your message. 

Communications training: Monday 15th September 
 
Led by Hannah Deasy, Fórsa director of member communications, this workshop is designed for branch officers who regularly communicate with members and want to build branch visibility in workplaces.

The course content will cover a range of engaging topics, including message development, the principles of clear communication, how to create compelling content that captures attention, from emails and branch newsletters to posters and leaflets.  It is also suitable for anyone who writes emails to members or is considering a branch newsletter. 

The first of our communications training course will take place on Monday, 15th September, at Fórsa head office, Nerney’s Court, Dublin. Further courses will take place later in the year in Galway and Cork.   

Participants will learn to use effective tools to reach members and build a branch profile. Further detail is contained in the application form which can be found here.

Digital and Social Media training (Level 1): Tuesday 23rd September  

We will also be holding the first session of our Digital and Social Media training on Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025, at Fórsa head office, Nerney’s Court, Dublin. 

With Kate O’Sullivan, Fórsa director of digital at the helm, this course will give you the tools to "speak union" online and reach members where they are. This introductory training course is aimed at workplace reps who communicate with union members and is ideal for those with a basic grasp of social media who want to do more. 

You can register for this training here.

Don’t miss your chance to sharpen your voice and strengthen your skills to help build collective power. Spaces are limited, so sign up soon!  

Applications for both training sessions will close as soon as we reach course capacity or three weeks before the course is due to be delivered, in order to facilitate workplace releases.  

Please contact skillsacademy@forsa.ie with any training-related queries. 

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Fórsa and other unions on the Civil Service Staff Panel have advised senior management that the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill, if enacted, would impose significantly adverse terms and conditions of employment on civil service members. 

Unions have also advised that they cannot accept the use of legislation to unilaterally alter the terms and conditions of members, warning that the Civil Service ‘cannot rely on compliance’ if the Bill is enacted. 

In a letter issued last week (14th July) to the secretary general of the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, unions objected to the imposition of new dismissal provisions, and to the attempt to bypass normal industrial relations through legislation. 

The Bill is part of the Government's legislative programme for Spring 2025 and seeks to delegate dismissal powers currently held by departmental secretaries general to lower-grade civil servants. Fórsa and the staff panel have said this represents a serious departure from established procedures. 

The letter, signed by staff side secretary Eugene Dunne (Fórsa), recalled that the last major legislative intervention in civil service employment conditions came during the financial emergency through the FEMPI legislation: “There is no justification in normal circumstances for altering terms and conditions through legislation,” he said. 

Fórsa deputy general secretary Éamonn Donnelly said the union was resolute in opposing the Bill: “We are making it absolutely clear that we will not accept unilateral legislative change to core employment conditions.  

“Dismissal is a profound matter that must be handled with the highest level of oversight and accountability. We will use all industrial relations and political channels available to challenge this,” he said. 

Fórsa has consistently opposed the Bill since it first appeared in 2018. A petition signed by more than 3,000 members in 2023 formed part of an earlier campaign to resist its passage. 

The union will continue to engage with politicians and civil service management to defend fair procedures and ensure that any changes, if pursued, must be subject to negotiation and agreement. 

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At the recent civil service divisional conference held this May, a motion was brought forward by the DSP Executive Grades branch, calling for an allowance for press officers in all government departments to take overtime into account. 

The motion was remitted, to be reviewed by the incoming divisional executive committee (DEC).  

The DEC sought remittal of the motion due to inconsistencies in the information available on remuneration for extra attendance, being on-call and time off in lieu (TOIL) and committed to undertaking further research. 

Fórsa official Catriona Oates is now conducting this research, and she is looking to hear from press officers from all government departments to build a clearer picture of the different arrangements in place.  

She said: “We want to hear from as many press officers as possible. It is unfair and unjust that press officers of the same grade, doing the same work across the Civil Service, are dependent on local arrangements for remuneration for this role. Being on-call, often at weekends, is required for press officers and this must be taken into account.” 

If branches are aware of press officers in their workplace, they should share this story with them and ask them to contact us. 

If you are a press officer and would like to have input into this research, please email coates@forsa.ie.  

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Public servants are due to get another pay boost next week as part of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. This is a general round increase of 1% effective in annualised basic salary or gross pay for all public servants from 1st August 2025. 

This is the latest in a series of staggered pay increases negotiated by unions to help restore public servants’ living standards following a period of high inflation.  

The pay adjustment is 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. 

Overall, the pay terms of the agreement are valued at 9.25% over 2.5 years, with an extra 1 % available in local bargaining. 

The staggered pay provisions in each year of the agreement deliver more for lower paid workers and are estimated to be worth up to 17.3% for this group of workers. This is because the flat-rate elements of the pay deal are worth more to public servants earning below €50k per annum, so the benefit is significantly greater for incomes below this level of salary. 

The agreement currently covers the period from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2026. The final two increases will be due on 1st February  2026 and 1st June 2026. 

Pay scales for all Fórsa divisions will soon be updated on our website to reflect these increases. You will find the updated pay scales on our website here.

You can also find answers to commonly asked questions in relation to the Public Service Agreement here.

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Many members know Fórsa’s head office well, whether from coming to meetings, collecting flags, or simply from seeing the address on correspondence. Located at Nerney’s Court, the union’s headquarters is in the heart of Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC). 

The NEIC is an area of just over six square kilometres, bounded to the south by the River Liffey, and to the east by the sea, to the north by the River Tolka and Clonliffe Road, and to the west by Dorset Street and East Arran Street.  

For some time now Fórsa has run a small grants fund which aims to support community initiatives based in the NEIC. 

Kieran O'Neill, Julie Flood (Fórsa Senior Vice President), Ava Henry (double European Gold medalist), Philip Keogh (Head Coach), Stephen Dunphy (Treasurer Dublin City Local Goverment Branch)

Outlining the reasons why the fund was established deputy general secretary Matt Staunton said: “The North East Inner City is steeped in history and home to many landmarks and cultural institutions, but in recent years it has sometimes gained national media attention for all the wrong reasons, notably during the Dublin riots in November 2023. Such coverage does a disservice to the people who call this place home, and who are building their lives here.” 

He continued: “We set up this fund because Fórsa is proud to be based in this historical, culturally rich and vibrant part of Dublin. Our small grants fund aims to support community organisations and initiatives that work on fostering education, intercultural development and social inclusion.” 

This year organisations working with marginalised communities were invited to apply in May, and all awardees have now been notified. Over 30 initiatives will benefit from funding of up to €500 each. 

Fórsa’s senior vice president, and chair of the Dublin City Council branch, Julie Flood said: “The applications we received blew us away. There are so many deserving causes and so many people doing fantastic work in this part of our capital city. We were thrilled to be able to support local initiatives from residents’ groups to sports groups, youth services, local health projects, unemployment services and so much more.” 

She continued: “It was a privilege to meet the tireless community activists who give so much of their own time and energy to make life better for others. We were delighted to visit Dublin Docklands Boxing Club and meet Ava Henry and Chloe Gabriel, two talented young boxers who train in the club.  

Kieran O'Neill, Julie Flood (Fórsa Senior Vice President), Chloe Gabriel

"There are high hopes that these two young boxers will go on to great things. Ava has already won Double Gold at European level, and Chloe is also an European Gold medallist. The club intends to use the grant towards travel costs, which is a great example of how a little help can go a long way.” 

Julie continued: “As a union with members from all across Ireland and around the world, we’re proud to support the community we are based in.  Solidarity starts at home.” 

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After two years, ICTU’s Stronger Together Anti-Racist Trade Unions & Workplaces Project is coming to the end of its first iteration. Before the team begins the important work of analysis and improvement, they are holding two final leadership courses for ethnic minority and migrant workers. 

The leadership course has proven popular over the duration of the Stronger Together project’s first two-year cycle. Over 60 migrant workers and workers from ethnic minority backgrounds have taken part and applied their learning in the workplace and within their unions. 

The last chance to take this course will be online on Monday 18th August, from 6.30pm to 8pm. 

The workshop is designed to help participants develop their talents and voice, and to equip them with the skills to apply these to trade union activism. Participatory in nature, the event will explore advocacy approaches, coalition building, and action planning for equality. Participants will also learn how to build their professional networks and capacity to become the leaders they aspire to be. 

It is with great pride Fórsa can say we have been well represented in each of the previous sessions of the leadership course, and we encourage any ethnic minority or migrant members to take part.

For a fuller picture of what the leadership training offers, you can read what Fórsa's Khalid El Busaidy thought of the course here.

If you are an ethnic minority or migrant member interested in taking part, please register by sending an email to antiracism@ictu.ie.

There will be a follow-on workshop for all previous participants of the leadership project in ICTU’s Dublin Office on Parnell Square, from 11am to 3pm Saturday 23rd August. This will be an informal and interactive session to explore how ethnic minority and migrant trade union members may enhance their visibility and progress their issues in trade union structures into the future. 

The session promises to be a valuable opportunity for networking, collaboration and planning for the future, with lunch provided on the day. 

To register, please send an email to antiracism@ictu.ie.

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