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.

Congress’ Public Services Committee 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.

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. 

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 hit out at delays by Irish Water to fill vacant posts, as well as delays to honouring the existing service level agreement (SLA) and the transition to the implementation of a revised framework for the future delivery of water services.

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.