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Unions push Government on cost-of-living assistance
by Niall Shanahan
 

ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led the trade union delegation at last week’s meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, as unions made a strong case for the need for very substantial assistance to help all workers, including public servants, cope with the cost-of-living crisis.


ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led the trade union delegation at last week’s meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), as unions made a strong case for the need for very substantial assistance to help all workers, including public servants, cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

 

The LEEF meets approximately four times a year and brings together senior Government, trade union and employer representatives to discuss economic, employment and labour market issues.

 

In a circular issued to Fórsa branch secretaries last week, Kevin said the unions addressed the issue of additional costs already being experienced by workers due to rising energy prices: “With further increases anticipated, we said that there was a real risk of energy poverty for many not just those who rely on social welfare benefits. 

 

“The employer representatives supported very significant government intervention to assist households and businesses and called for a huge fiscal response utilising buoyant exchequer finances,” he said.

 

Kevin said unions formed the view, during the meeting, that the Government was moving toward a similar viewpoint. He said the Government side remains sensitive to developments in the EU, and the UK, and that the final scale of intervention had yet to be decided. 

 

In a special bulletin about the ballot on the revised public service pay package - issued to all Fórsa members last Thursday (8th September) - Kevin added that the Government has indicated its intention to introduce a further range of 'cost-of-living' measures, and that these are anticipated as part of Budget 2023, which is to be announced on Tuesday 27th September.

 

Pay deal, pensions and other FAQs
by Mehak Dugal
 

Congress’ Public Services Committee (PSC) received written confirmation last week from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that, if accepted, the current pensions increase policy - of maintaining parity between the pay of serving staff and pensions - will be extended for the duration of the new pay agreement.


Congress’ Public Services Committee (PSC) received written confirmation last week from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that, if accepted, the current pensions increase policy - of maintaining parity between the pay of serving staff and pensions - will be extended for the duration of the new pay agreement.

 

In response to the PSC’s letter seeking clarification in relation to future pension increase policy, as part of the new pay agreement negotiated in the Workplace Relations Commission, Michael McGrath agreed to the inclusion following consultation with officials from his department.

 

As soon as the confirmation landed, it was updated on Fórsa’s website on the dedicated FAQ page to assist and inform members with any questions they might have on the new proposals.

 

All new developments will be regularly and immediately added to the webpage, and you can keep up with them HERE. 

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

 

Ballot information meetings nationwide
by Mehak Dugal & Niall Shanahan
 

A series of comprehensive information meetings about the public service pay deal ballot are being hosted around the country by union officials.

 

The meetings provide an opportunity for members to find out more details and to ask questions. Details of upcoming meetings are available HERE. 


In doubt about the new deal? Ask a question
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has set up two dedicated inboxes to help answer any questions you might have on the ongoing ballot or the proposed pay deal.


Fórsa has set up two dedicated inboxes to help answer any questions you might have on the ongoing ballot or the proposed pay deal.

 

More information, including full details of the revised public service pay package, is available on the Fórsa website, please use the following link to view. Further information is also available from your branch secretary.

 

If you are eligible to vote in this ballot you will receive an email from Fórsa, which will include your ‘unique voter code’ and a link to our voting platform. If you think you are eligible to vote, and you do not receive an email with this information, you should contact our helpdesk HERE

 

For other general queries around the proposed pay package, get in touch HERE

 

For a video tutorial on how to cast your vote click HERE.

 

The deadline for Fórsa members to vote is noon on Thursday 6 October 2022.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

 

 

 

Feature Article
Pay deal ballot: Cast your vote and have your say
by Niall Shanahan
 

Fórsa members have commenced voting on the terms of the new public service pay proposals.


Fórsa members have commenced voting on the terms of the new public service pay proposals.

 

There’s been a strong turnout in the first week of balloting, as Fórsa members are invited to attend information meetings taking place countrywide, and are encouraged to cast their vote and have their say on this crucial pay deal.

 

In a video message (below) to Fórsa members published today (Friday), Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, who led the union side in the pay talks, encouraged members to cast their vote: “This is a really important ballot on the review of Building Momentum. I really want you to cast your vote and have your say. Don’t leave it to others.”

 

Kevin advised that most public service members covered by the terms of the new deal will have received their unique voter code (UVC) by email. He advised that if members haven’t received their codes, they should contact the ballot helpdesk at ballot2022@forsa.ie, where staff are on hand to assist.

 

Fórsa’s elected national executive has voted overwhelmingly to recommend the public service pay package, which was negotiated at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following the review of the Building Momentum public service agreement.

 

The electronic ballot of Fórsa members will remain open until Thursday 6th October.

 

The union has produced this ‘frequently asked questions’ document, which includes a facility for members to ask questions, which you can access HERE.

 

For a video tutorial on how to cast your vote click HERE.

 

The pay proposals would see increases of 3% with effect from 2nd February 2022, 2% from 1st March 2023 and 1.5% or €750 (whichever is the greater) from 1st October 2023.

 

This is in addition to 1% or €500, whichever is greater, which due at the beginning of October 2022 under the existing Building Momentum agreement.

 

The minimum payment of €750 a year from next October means the package would be worth 8% to a worker earning €25,000 a year and 7% to a person on €37,500 a year.

 

Also in this issue
Take just 5 seconds to show your support for striking Fórsa members! 
 

The community and voluntary sector provide incredibly vital care in disability, homeless and other services, but they’re in crisis. The HSE relies on them to care for our communities but won’t pay them equally, so they can’t recruit and waiting lists are growing. They’ve been forced into industrial action with rolling strikes over three days next week.  

 

Tweet out your support by clicking on this link so the government knows we support them! Or copy and post it wherever you use social media.  

 

Both the professionals and those that rely on these services deserve so much better than this. 

 

Please show your support for the #FundUsFairly #ValuingCare campaign! 


Minimum Wage boost ‘inadequate’ – ICTU
by Niall Shanahan
 

 

 

 


The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has described the €0.80 increase to the National Minimum Wage as “inadequate.” The Cabinet approved the rise to the minimum wage this week, bringing it to €11.30 per hour from the beginning of 2023.

 

In a statement, ICTU confirmed its two nominees to the Low Pay Commission opposed the small increase because affiliate unions “have been calling for a very significant rise in the minimum wage, given the current cost of living crisis and consequent income pressures on workers.”

 

Congress General Secretary Patricia King said she is aware that businesses face challenges “but so do workers trying to live on a minimum wage and there are many employers that can afford to pay.”

 

Congress said the recommended  increase "fails the test of protecting the living standards of those on the lowest wage and fails the test of setting a sustainable foundation for progressing to a living wage.

 

Ireland’s Minimum Wage rate is the third lowest of EU countries with statutory minimum wages. Congress said no such income pressures are felt by the top CEOs of the largest Irish publicly quoted companies whose average pay package rose by 27% last year.

 

“It is for these reasons our nominees opposed the Commission’s recommendation and submitted a minority report to provide the Government an alternative and superior recommendation for the increase in the minimum wage in 2023. It is within the gift of the Government to go beyond what the Commission has recommended, and we urge them to do so.”

 

Budget

Launching ICTU’s Budget 2023 priorities earlier this month, Patricia said the forthcoming budget must prioritise raising wages and introduce targeted measures to lift households out of energy poverty and safeguard workers’ incomes and jobs: “Decent wages for all workers are central to resolving the cost of living crisis.”

 

Average weekly wages  - which are up 2.4% in the year to June 2022 - are rising by just one-quarter of the rate of inflation, which is up 9.1 % over the same period.

 

In its statement, Congress highlighted the fact that Ireland remains a low-pay, high-cost country for too many: “One-fifth of workers are low-paid according to the OECD, the highest rate among the EU-15.

 

“With energy costs continuing to increase, and many more households at risk of energy poverty, ICTU said Budget 2023 must introduce “immediate targeted measures to lift households out of energy poverty, by introducing temporary, tapered price caps for those in or at risk.”

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EU boost for wage bargaining
by Niall Shanahan
 

 

 

 


The EU directive on adequate minimum wages cleared its final vote in the European Parliament with a convincing majority this week. The directive will require EU members states to promote collective bargaining and combat union-busting activities. The ETUC (European Trades Union Confederation) said the vote means that Europe has “taken an important step towards ending poverty pay.”

 

The directive will mean that EU member states will have to verify the adequacy of statutory minimum wages, taking account of purchasing power and the cost of living. Countries with collective bargaining coverage below 80% will be required to produce an action plan to support collective bargaining, while companies receiving public procurement contracts will be required to respect the right to organise and collective bargaining in line with specific ILO conventions.

 

Reacting to the vote, Fórsa general secretary and ICTU president Kevin Callinan said: “Wage bargaining is vital to combat poverty and inequality

 

“This very significant step must now result in the Irish government taking immediate measures to dramatically improve the country's low level of collective bargaining coverage. Over to you (Tánaiste) Leo Varadkar.”

 

The vote came after ETUC research found Europe’s lowest paid workers are suffering the sharpest decline in purchasing power this century, with statutory minimum wages down by as much as 19% in real terms. 

 

The final step of the two-year process will be approval by the European Council of the European Union later this month.

 

ETUC Deputy General Secretary Esther Lynch said: “Member States need to get serious about getting wages rising, they should not wait for two years before implementing the Directive. They should take action now to increase statutory minimum wages and promote collective bargaining.

 

“Wages should never leave workers and their families living in poverty but that has been the reality across Europe for too long.

 

“This directive is a timely boost to the millions of people struggling to heat their homes and feed their families. Not only by ensuring minimum wages are adequate but by strengthening collective bargaining as the best solution to achieving genuinely fair wages for all,” she said.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

 

 

New legislation threatens right to strike
by Mark Corcoran
 

 

 

 


The European Commission plans to repeal an existing regulation on the functioning of the single market which explicitly safeguards to the right to strike, potentially putting the right to strike for European workers at risk.

 

The regulation would put in place a Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI) which would allow the free movement of essential goods and services during a ‘crisis’. Currently there is a safeguard in place that explicitly protects the right to strike in such an instance.

 

The new legislation does not contain such a safeguard and has caused concern among trade unions that a strike could be defined as a “crisis,” and that measures triggered by the SMEI could undermine collective action, in violation of the international rights such as the EU’s own Charter of Fundamental Rights.

 

Both EPSU and ETUC have written to the European Commission to try and ensure the right to strike is protected in the new legislation.

You can read the full letter HERE

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.