After years of stalled talks and growing frustration, Fórsa is balloting ICT staff in local authorities. Workers say they’ve been undervalued despite carrying greater responsibility in delivering vital digital services.
Fórsa is finalising ballot arrangements for members working in local authority Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in a long-running dispute.
In a letter to the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), head of division Richy Carrothers called out “years of management inaction” stating that escalation would take place unless tangible movement took place on a range of issues.
Fórsa has been seeking a sector-wide review of ICT grading and pay, benchmarked against other professional cohorts and public sector bodies, the establishment of the National ICT CPD committee, and a formal, nationally agreed framework for out-of-hours work and compensation.
Detailing the reasons why a ballot on industrial action is now unavoidable, Richy said that the lack of meaningful engagement and use of deferral tactics by management over a five-year period had shown a “continued unwillingness to resolve the issues facing ICT staff.”
ICT staff have seen their workloads increase in scale and complexity in recent years, however, there has been no corresponding adjustment in pay for those carrying out this work in local authorities. This is despite the fact that similar roles are graded higher elsewhere in the public service.
Chair of the Fórsa ICT Committee in local authorities, Paul Barker said: “It’s demoralising to have our work undervalued by our employer. While they won’t acknowledge the need for adjustment in pay and grade, the introduction of a mandatory requirement for a third level qualification is unprecedented and represents an explicit acknowledgement by management and the LGMA that ICT roles have fundamentally changed in scope, complexity and strategic importance.”
Concluding, Richy underscored the central importance of local authority ICT staff in achieving the government’s commitment to deliver 90% of services digitally by 2030. He warned that it will be impossible to achieve the goal if local authorities continue to lose ICT staff to other public sector employers where the role is recognised and respected.
He said: “Retention is collapsing, morale is low, and digitalisation goals are at risk. Our members are organising on this critical issue, and a ballot will take shortly.”
The dispute is over a proposed dispatch system that members have warned could leave ambulance calls uncovered. Industrial officer Jay Power said: "It’s about public safety. Our members take their duties very seriously. We need to ensure that before any new system is introduced, our members are confident that it works and that ambulance calls are covered.”
Members voted strongly in support of taking industrial action in September, following the proposed introduction of a new computer-aided dispatch system (CAD).
According to the municipal employees’ division industrial officer, Jay Power, members are not opposed to a new system which would consolidate all national fire brigades under a unified dispatch system.
The point of contention is a gap in the system being proposed. Explaining this, Jay said: “The CAD would only cover fire and rescue calls; however, DFB also operates ambulances.”
He continued, “It’s about public safety. Our members take their duties very seriously. We need to ensure that before any new system is introduced, our members are confident that it works and that ambulance calls are covered.”
Following the successful ballot, Fórsa and other unions representing workers in DFB were invited to conciliation at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) with Dublin City Council and DFB in hopes of averting industrial action.
According to Jay, the discussions have been intensive. He said: “We’ve met at the WRC on two occasions and made a good bit of progress. We’re due to reconvene in early November and we hope to make further progress.”
“We will continue to update our members on this issue and will continue to engage directly with our members in the Eastern Regional Control Centre, who are key people in progressing this issue,” he continued.
National secretary, Richy Carrothers said: “This case underlines the importance of consultation. Our members are active stakeholders in the success of their workplaces, and they’re best placed to see the operational issues that might arise from any changes.”
“The Department and other management representatives decided to forego consultation, and they missed this serious issue with the new system. Our members saw it immediately. This is why consultation is crucial,” he concluded.
Fórsa’s Local Government and Local services division is heading into winter with a renewed focus on recruitment and organising, launching a fresh batch of recruitment leaflets to be distributed to branches across the country in the coming weeks.
Fórsa’s Local Government And Local services division is heading into winter with a renewed focus on recruitment and organising, launching a fresh batch of recruitment leaflets to be distributed to branches across the country in the coming weeks.
Head of division Richy Carrothers said the leaflets are about rebuilding the habit of organising at workplace level: “The union is what happens when members come together in their workplace to take collective action and shape their own lives.”
He encouraged members to use the new material as a tool for conversations with colleagues.
“Maybe you’re in a workplace where the union is already strong - good! Then you can use the leaflets as a reminder, leave them around the canteen, stick them on the noticeboard,” he said.
“Or maybe you’re in a workplace where the union isn’t so strong, that’s when the leaflets can be really useful. Use them as a prop and do a walkaround. Nothing is more persuasive than having conversations with people.”
The latest recruitment push follows a year of major progress for Fórsa members in local government. The division’s national conference in May brought members together from across the country for two days of debate, solidarity, and planning for the future.
It was also the year that saw a major breakthrough at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), where, after intensive engagement, broad agreement was reached on a framework for a comprehensive job evaluation scheme for local authority workers - a long-standing demand for recognition of the skills and value of council staff.
This process is still underway, but we need to ensure that management remain at the table and are focussed on our demands. Highly unionised workplaces are the key to our success in winning more for workers.”
Throughout 2025, the division continued to advocate for well-funded, democratically accountable local services, leading calls for stronger local government, better housing policy, and quality public services that serve communities rather than profit.
Richy said Fórsa members had also shown “real courage and solidarity” in the face of intimidation campaigns targeting library workers.
“When library workers faced hate and harassment from the far right, Fórsa stood firmly beside them,” he said. “Our members’ courage, and the union’s visible, immediate support, sent a clear message: public libraries are spaces of inclusion, learning, and community, and those who work in them will never stand alone.”
As the union moves into 2026, the focus is on deepening membership and building on recent gains.
“As a union we’ve a lot to be proud of,” he added. “From job evaluation to workforce planning and blended work, our members in local authorities across Ireland have organised, fought for, and won a better deal for everyone.”
He explained that Fórsa’s vision for local government is one of enhanced local services and strengthened local democracy, opposing outsourcing and celebrating the diversity of communities across Ireland.
Richy also wanted to remind potential recruits that Fórsa has a practical side too.
“There’s a real practical side to what we do. Members share in supports like salary protection, financial advice, mortgage and will services, insurance, discounts, and scholarships. When you join Fórsa, you gain access to these benefits and join a community that stands up for fairness, respect, and strong public services. We use our strength in numbers and act as a collective to give added value to the union card.”
“This winter we’ll be out in workplaces, talking to people, handing out leaflets, and reminding everyone that the union is us - the members - and together we can shape a better future in local government.”
Get in contact with your local branch to arrange a leaflet drop-off. If there’s less of a union presence in your workplace, use our contact form to get in touch with us and we’ll help you get things off the ground.
Following negotiations with DPER, Fórsa is awaiting a formal offer on the local bargaining claim for clerical officers and grade 3 equivalent roles shaped directly by members’ feedback and priorities.
Following ongoing negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) Fórsa is now waiting for an offer in relation to the cross sectoral local bargaining claim for clerical officers and grade 3 equivalent roles.
Updating members on the state of play deputy general secretary and head of the civil service division, Éamonn Donnelly said: “We are awaiting a formal offer from DPER. We anticipate that it will be based on the removal of one point of the scale and an upwards adjustment on the maximum point of the scale.”
“This would be in line with what members told us they wanted to see happen. These claims were shaped by members, and when we receive an offer, we will outline next steps, including details of a ballot, should the offer be reasonable.”
Éamonn continued, “It is important to note that this is only phase one of the overall claim, in respect of the 1% payroll quantum available from 1st September 2025. The remainder of the claim will be pursued under the remaining 2% of payroll quantum available after June 2026.
“The phase one adjustment reflects part settlement of the claim based on the outcome of the survey of members and union conference motions, which seek shortening of pay scales and recognition of long service”.
Local bargaining is a type of collective bargaining featured in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. It allows grades, groups or categories to negotiate claims up to 3% of overall payroll costs. The first phase of this was due to be paid from 1st September 2025, with a further second phase to be agreed as part of a new agreement.
Fórsa has lodged three cross sectoral ‘core’ claims and numerous sector specific claims on behalf of members across all divisions of the union.
The discussions currently ongoing are focused on the clerical officer or grade 3 equivalent roles claim and the executive officer, administrative officer, higher executive officer or grade 4-7 equivalent roles claim.
Held every October, EU Safety Week highlights key issues, best practices and innovations from workplaces all over Europe. This year in Ireland, the focus is on the right to disconnect, combating stress and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Held every October, EU Safety Week highlights key issues, best practices and innovations from workplaces all over Europe. This year in Ireland, the focus is on the right to disconnect, combating stress and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
EU Safety Week provides opportunities for organisations to hold awareness-raising events, and this year hundreds of events are taking place across the EU to promote and protect workers’ safety and health.
The theme for the 2025 Healthy Workplaces Campaign, organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), is ‘Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age’ and aims to raise awareness of the impact of digital technologies on work and workplaces.
In recent years, digital technologies have transformed our society and our daily lives. For workers and employers in practically all workplaces and sectors, digital technology offers increased opportunities but also presents greater challenges and risks in terms of workplace safety and health.
According to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) 40% of Irish workplaces use digital technologies to supervise and monitor the work and behaviour of their employees personally.
If designed, implemented, managed and used in line with the human-centred approach, digital technologies have the potential to be useful for improving workers’ safety and health. They can help in automating repetitive tasks, reducing physical strain and improving ergonomics. Robotics and AI can also support employees in dangerous work environments.
However, the benefits of digitalisation can only be enjoyed if the risks are properly managed, including fully consulting workers and trade unions on what is happening in the workplace in relation to use of digital technologies, as well as adopting a human-centred and human-in-command approach. The use of AI and digital technologies must also be properly regulated, in full consultation with social partners.
ICTU has fully endorsed the call from the European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC) for strong EU directives in this area, including:
A directive on remote work and the right to disconnect, to ensure new working practices are not detrimental to workers,
A directive to combat stress at work, to deliver safe workplaces, free of violence and harassment, and
A directive dedicated to AI at work, which will uphold the ‘human in control’ principle.
You can find out more about the campaign and related events taking place here.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called a national workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine on Friday 28th November. In advance of the upcoming day of action, Fórsa will host a seminar on economic solidarity with Palestine on Saturday 22nd November.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called a national workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine on Friday 28th November.
In advance of the upcoming day of action, Fórsa will host a seminar on economic solidarity with Palestine on Saturday 22nd November. This seminar will be an opportunity for members and activists to develop practical skills and knowledge and focus on meaningful action.
The event builds on motions adopted at our 2024 biennial conference relating to economic activity with Israel and in the Occupied Territories. We will explore how we, as trade unionists, can use our collective power and influence to promote justice and equality.
The seminar will be delivered through a series of in-person workshops at Nerney’s Court from 10.30am to 3pm. Participants will share ideas, discuss strategies, and learn practical ways to engage in acts of economic solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This event is open to all Fórsa activists whether you are already involved or just starting out. Together, we can make a real impact.
Palestinian workers, remaining steadfast in pursuing their struggle for freedom and justice, have called on workers around the world to stand in solidarity with them.
On 28th November, join ICTU and unions across the island to take action calling for an end to genocide and to mobilise for greater workplace action in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Discuss with your colleagues in your branch what kind of action is best suited to your workplace and its circumstances.
Some options for taking action include:
Taking a photo outside your workplace at lunchtime with banners and signs and sharing personal statements of solidarity.
Join a moment of solidarity at 1pm before proceeding for a photo.
Lunch-and-Learn Sessions: Organise workplace discussions or virtual lunch-and-learn sessions about Palestine and how we can make our support for BDS more effective / increase the number of trade union members attending national and local protests.
Email the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste Simon Harris, members of the cabinet and in particular your local Ministers and TDs (from either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil) urging them to pass the Occupied Territories Bill without delay. You can find them on the members page of the Oireachtas website. Remember that independents who are supporting the government also have considerable influence. You don’t need to go into much detail, but the most important message to get across is that you, a constituent and voter, need to see this government take decisive action now to pass the OTB.
Circulate a petition calling for the divestment of pension fund holdings from companies complicit in Israel’s attacks, such as arms companies supplying Israel with the weapons used in these attacks.
With great excitement, the Skills Academy have announced the date for the second of this year’s certificate presentation ceremonies. The date is Tuesday 4th November, the time is 2.30 – 4PM, and the location is Nerney’s Court.
While the summer ceremony was focused on more general trainings, such as the workplace representative trainings, mentoring, and leadership training, the winter ceremony will focus on branch officer programmes and branch skills training, such as communications and treasurers training.
The winter ceremony will follow the Consultative Council that morning, as with the summer event.
Director of membership training and development Fiona Dunne, encouraged members attending the council to stay on after lunch, join the celebrations, and support their colleagues.
She said: “It will be an enjoyable ceremony, and it’s a great chance to celebrate some colleagues who’ve put in a lot of hard work. They have been a fantastic group of learners. I think we can all appreciate the effort they’ve put in to enhance their skills, and improve their work as branch and workplace reps, so that they can make the union better for members.”
Communications Training - Father Mathew Quay, Cork - Wednesday, 26th November
This upcoming training will take place in the Fórsa Cork offices, making it easier for Munster-based members to participate. Workplace reps and branch officers who are in regular contact with union members, or who want to improve engagement with branch communications, will find this course invaluable. Participants will learn to use effective tools to reach members, build a branch profile, and craft compelling messages to members.
Fórsa Induction for new members - Online - Wednesday 12th November
As this will be the last opportunity to take part in Fórsa Induction this year, there will be morning and afternoon sessions available.
The induction is a short session to welcome new members unravel some of the mysteries of Fórsa. Learn the basics of what exactly a trade union is, the structure of Fórsa, how we operate, and how members can become more engaged, have their voices heard locally, and raise issues at divisional and national levels.
If you would like to apply for any courses, you can contact your branch committee directly to receive an application link as they become available.
Live: Lunch & Learn – ‘Mental Health First Aid’- Online - 1-2pm Friday 31st October
This month’s Live: Lunch & Learn will be highly beneficial. The session will be on mental fealth first aid. Mental health issues, like other health issues can get worse if unaddressed. This session teaches participants how to recognise when someone is developing a mental health issue, undergoing a reoccurrence of an existing mental health problem, or is experiencing a mental health crisis, and what to do to help.
The Skills Academy will be joined by the Adult Programme Coordinator for Mental Health First Aid Ireland, Lauren Watters for this session. Lauren will share her experience gathered from working across the disability and public health sectors, developing and delivering national health promotion initiatives.
As we head into Annual General Meeting (AGM) season, the Skills Academy have asked all branches to ensure to elect a Branch Training Officer at their next AGM.
Fiona said: “Training officers serve an invaluable role in branches. Not only do they provide an important liaison for us, but they are also integral to ensuring reps have access to trainings that will build their confidence and capacity, which will benefit members in their workplace and their branch as a whole.”
Branch trainings officers are also invited to attend branch training officer network meetings that take place twice a year and provide valuable networking opportunities, along with important updates on trainings.
In the most recent network meeting, branch training officers heard from the chairs of the school secretaries and caretakers’ branches. In a short talk on their successful strike, Luisa Carty and David Hearne shared their experiences of the process of taking industrial action as well as their learnings from it, what they found effective and what they might do differently.
Fiona said: “The network meetings are always great opportunities to share and learn from each other, and I would encourage anyone thinking they might enjoy the role to put themselves forward. It’s a rewarding position.”
A packed house for the Fórsa Retired Members Association conference.
Watch: our retired members association conference video.
Nerney’s Court was heaving last week as retired members, long-time activists, and union stalwarts gathered for the milestone occasion of the first-ever conference of the Retired Members Association (RMA). From the moment people arrived, the buzz of conversation and shared memories filled the air.
RMA Chair Martin Bridgeman welcomed all those in attendance by underlining all of the work put in over the past year to grow the retired membership of the union. He said: “This day-long event marks a widespread recognition in the union that retirement doesn’t mean stepping away from solidarity. Instead, it’s an opportunity to keep contributing to the movement, to stay informed, and to build new connections rooted in decades of shared experience.”
RMA Chair, Martin Bridgeman addressing conference.
The day reflected that mix of information and inspiration. Between formal sessions and coffee breaks, stories flowed easily among people who had spent years - even decades - in the public service and in their union branches.
“Just because you’re retiring doesn’t mean your brain is dead! You are used to an active life” was how Catherine Quirke, chair of the Munster SNA Branch bluntly put it. She had come along because many of her members are reaching a point in their careers where the big question - “what’s next?” loomed large.
“A lot of members in our branch are enquiring about retirement, so I want to have the right answers for them. The atmosphere here is absolutely fantastic. It's friendly, it's warm, it's open, and it's so informative. It's absolutely a huge success.”
Members enjoying the atmosphere.
“You've been getting up every morning, going out to work - suddenly for all this to stop isn’t good for anybody, and a lot of people don't want it. I think there are a lot of valuable members that could go on to be great activists in the retirement group.”
“Today is our first Retired Members Association conference and the first of many, we hope,” beamed Fórsa’s retired members officer Claudia Jennings, as she scanned the full room.
“There's a lot of interaction with exhibitors outside and a great response from the audience to the speakers that we had on site today. They've been covering everything from life coaching, talks about pensions, and the implications of the recent Budget on retired members. And we've had people from the union itself speaking about the retired members project and how it has gotten from its inception to where we are today.”
Retired members officer Claudia Jennings addressing a packed room.
“We've had members who've been working in the same place for years and years, and they become a type of family and a support to one another,” Claudia continued. “There are financial incentives as well as the social aspect, the networking, and the continued feeling of belonging to an organisation.”
That sense of belonging is at the heart of the new Retired Members Association, which aims not only to offer practical supports - like guidance on pensions, rights, and welfare entitlements - but also to build a thriving, active network of retired Fórsa members across Ireland.
Members sharing a drink.
For many, the event was as much about rekindling old friendships as it was about looking to the future. Rosemary Bracken, a former chair of the Dublin North Health & Welfare Branch, was among those delighted to reconnect.
“It's a great networking platform to meet up with people that you worked with through the years. It's always good to be a member of organisations when you retire. It keeps your focus, and you're learning all the time - learning about your rights and your benefits. It's just a fantastic community.”
A fun time had by all.
Sessions ranged from talks on wellbeing to updates on pension reform, and one highlight for many was a presentation from a GP on health in later life.
Fórsa’s director of membership, Seán McElhinney, paid tribute to the growing enthusiasm among retired members and the hard work of the union’s membership team.
“In the last 12 months, we've processed almost 1,000 transitions to retired membership - more than ever retired Fórsa members are opting to remain in membership after retirement.”
He urged members to see the union not just as a vehicle chasing the bread-and-butter issues, but as a force for real change in society. “We're having a positive impact on communities across the whole of the state. We want to make Ireland a better place for ourselves, for our families, for our neighbours, and our communities. Fórsa is a vehicle for progressive change in our society.”
Fórsa members get more – competition and discount code.
Cornmarket are running an exclusive competition for our members and have released a discount code that can be used for car or home insurance.
Cornmarket Financial Services provide several insurance partnership schemes for Fórsa members, details of which can all be found here.
As renewal season approaches, Cornmarket have launched a competition for a €2,000 Center Parcs voucher and have also released a new discount code giving members €200 off either home or car insurance policies.
Members can get a quote online or call 0818 601 601 and if you decide to take out a new policy, use the code FA200 for a €200 discount.*
The Center Parcs voucher competition is now open and runs until 31st December 2025.
Don’t miss out on your chance to WIN a €2,000 Center Parcs voucher. Click here to take part.
