A survey of over 7,000 public servants has found that substantial majorities are prepared to vote for parties they haven’t previously supported depending on the basis of policies on pay, healthcare, housing, childcare, and the four-day week.

The poll, conducted by Amárach Research for Fórsa, found that 88% of public servants said public service pay policy was either an important or a very important factor in determining how they would vote on 8th February.

Almost two-thirds (63%) said they would consider voting for parties they hadn’t voted for in the past if they pledged inflation-plus pay increases, while only 9% said they would not consider doing so. More than half (53%) said they would refuse to vote for parties that didn’t pledge inflation-busting rises.

A whopping 94% said it was unacceptable that higher-paid public servants are having their pay fully restored to pre-crisis levels, while those on lower incomes are still working extra unpaid hours introduced during the recession.

Over two-thirds (68%) said this could influence their vote on Saturday week, while only 15% said the issue would definitely not influence their choice of candidate.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the survey was the first significant attempt to identify the factors that will determine how Ireland’s 300,000 public servants will vote in a general election.

“There are four stand-out messages from our survey. First, public servants care most about the same issues – particularly housing, health, living costs, and childcare – as the rest of Ireland. Second, public service pay is definitely an issue for a significant proportion of the electorate.

“Third, public servants are prepared to change their voting behaviour on the basis of party positions on the issues they care most about. And fourth, public servants will turn up to vote on Saturday week,” he said.

The poll, which took place between Thursday 23rd and Tuesday 28th January, also found that:

• 88% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they pledged increased investment in community health services as part of a move towards free healthcare for all (4% said they would not; 9% don’t know)

• 79% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they pledged to support a four-day week, or other mechanisms to reduce working time, without loss of pay or productivity (7% said they would not; 14% don’t know)

• 79% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they committed to a large-scale public home-building programme to address the housing and homelessness crisis (6% said they would not; 14% don’t know)

• 71% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they pledged to support publicly-provided and funded affordable childcare for working people (9% said they would not; 19% don’t know)

• 65% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they committed to an early referendum to ensure that Ireland’s water services remain in public ownership (10% said they would not; 25% don’t know)

• 59% of public servants said they would back parties they haven’t previously voted for if they pledged to require employers to publish their organisation’s gender pay gap (10% said they would not; 31% don’t know).

Almost all (99%) of the 7,148 Fórsa members who participated in the online survey said they intended to vote in the general election, although a very significant 27% remained undecided about who would get their support.

Just 4% of respondents identified tax as the single biggest issue in the election, way behind health (22%), housing and homelessness (18%), wages and salaries (17%), the cost of living (12%), and climate change (7%).

Of the 7,148 respondents:

• 73% were female.

• 5% were under 30 years of age.

• 52% were between 31 and 50 years of age.

• 43% were over 50 years of age.

• 28% were from Dublin city and county.

• 26% were from Leinster (not including Dublin city and county).

• 26% were from Munster.

• 20% were from Connacht/Ulster.

Members in private companies and commercial semi-state bodies were not polled as the intention was to identify opinion among public servants and those on linked pay scales.

CE supervisors represented will engage in a 24-hour work stoppage on Friday 14th February. Meanwhile, it’s emerged that only two out of seven political parties, queried by Fórsa on the issue, have pledged to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation to give the staff access to an occupational pension scheme.

Fórsa says it plans to escalate the industrial action in February and March if there is no movement on the issue from a new government.

CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will join workers from ‘Section 39’ agencies in a march and rally on 14th February. The rally will conclude at the offices of the Department of Finance to highlight the failure of successive administrations to implement the 2008 recommendation.

Unions will rally behind a message for the new government: “Unfinished business: Don’t ignore community services.”

Support

Fórsa sought responses to a range of issues raised with political parties during the election campaign, which Fórsa published today. On the issue of implementing the 2008 Labour Court recommendation, only Labour and the Social Democrats expressed their support, while only Labour included a commitment to do so in the party’s manifesto.

The union’s assessments are based on party manifestos and other official election pledges. Fórsa also sent a draft to each party to give them the opportunity to clarify their positions if they wanted to.

Fórsa official Ian McDonnell said: “The new government is facing into its programme of work with substantial unfinished business they need to attend to. This affects a thousand hard-working community workers who’ve endured a 12-year delay.

“The stoppage will be followed by action from Monday 17th February, when supervisors and assistant supervisors will refuse to communicate with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. This will include email, telephone, mobile phone, letter, direct or any other such contact,” he said.

Escalation

Ian said that the action will escalate further from 24th February with a refusal to cooperate with welfare partners and, from 2nd March, refusal to cooperate with payroll, followed by a 24-hour work stoppage on Monday 9th March and a 48-hour work stoppage on 23rd and 24th March.

“In order to allay this action, the new government needs to step up and do the right thing. If they don’t engage with the unfinished business of three previous administrations, they will face into a succession of disruptions to the valued services provided by community employment schemes. Our members take this action reluctantly but feel they have run out of options after years of neglect on this issue,” he said.

A spat over public service pay broke out between the two main parties in the middle of the election campaign when Fine Gael pledged average annual pay increases of 2.5% in the four years following 2020, while accusing Fianna Fáil of planning a pay freeze.

Later the same day, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar took the highly unusual step of writing to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan to ask him to spread the word among our members.

The union, which expects to negotiate a successor to the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) once a new government is formed after the election, had earlier issued its own assessment of where the two largest parties stood.

On the basis of manifesto statements and media comments, the union judged that the two big beasts were effectively budgeting for continued real wage stagnation in the public service and non-commercial semi-state sector.

It said their figures suggested annual increases of between 1.3% and 2.1% at most, at a time when the central statistics office (CSO) says average private sector earnings are rising by nearly 4% a year.

Experts, including the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute, are predicting minimum average annual wage growth of 3.5% in the coming years.

In truth, no party is going to set out a detailed position in advance of negotiations. We wouldn’t either. But, in an effort to inform members, Fórsa put pay and working time at the top of the list of questions it put to all the political parties in the first full week of the election campaign. 

Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats commit to negotiate a new pay deal in their manifestos and, when prompted by Fórsa, the others said they would too. All were fairly short on details.

Fianna Fáil said it would establish a new Public Service Pay Commission, which would “prepare the basis for” a new agreement that would also incorporate new entrants’ pay. Fine Gael stressed its preference for a “sustainable deal,” which would “introduce a bargaining clause…to make progress on sectoral issues.”

Sinn Féin placed great emphasis on “frontline staff,” saying it would ensure that “funding goes where it is needed to recruit and retain the people who deliver on the frontline.” It also said it would “deliver for low and middle-income workers.”

Meanwhile, Labour said it would engage, and would include the establishment of “a structured, fair and sustainable funding model for Section 39 agencies to underpin services and ensure fair pay” in the talks agenda.

None of the parties except PBP/Solidarity specifically committed to inflation-plus increases – which the union asked them to do. Fine Gael values its offer at 2.5% a year, which is above the current inflation rate. But it also singles out nurses for specific additional increases, which would presumably bring the average down for everyone else.

In fairness, ours was a hard question as the answer depends on future inflation rates and the length of any post-PSSA agreement. The two parties (FF and FG) that put figures on their offers did so in the context of a five-year government programme, though it’s rare for public service deals to exceed three years’ duration.

Despite being specifically asked, most of the parties said even less – nothing in fact – on their attitudes to additional working time introduced for many public servants during the recession.

They might regret this, seeing that Fórsa’s pre-election opinion survey found that over two-thirds of respondents’ votes could be swayed by this and other ‘two-tier’ hangovers from the crisis years.

Indeed, a whopping 94% of our respondents said it was unacceptable that higher-paid public servants were having their pay fully restored to pre-crisis levels, while those on lower incomes are still working extra unpaid hours introduced during the recession.

On the broader issue of working time, the Labour manifesto pledges to “review the evidence” for a shorter working week, including a four-day week, without loss of pay.”

The Soc Dems say they’ll establish a commission to research and trial “the introduction of a right to flexible work,” including a four-day week, so long as it works “for large and small employers.” The Greens don’t have the four-day week in their manifesto but, when prompted, they told us they’d explore it.

Meanwhile Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both talk about exploring more flexible working time arrangements. Again PBP are silent on the matter.

So where does it all leave us?

The three biggest parties plus Labour and the Social Democrats are explicitly in favour of doing a new public service pay deal. When prompted, the others told us they will do a deal, though the absence of any reference in their manifestos suggests it’s hardly top-of-mind for the Greens and PBP.

Fine Gael and, to a lesser extent, Fianna Fáil, have done some thinking on what they plan to spend. But it’s not encouraging in light of Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan’s repeated calls for movement on working time and significant pay increases, in light of economic and exchequer improvements that have outstripped everyone’s expectations when the PSSA was signed in 2017.

Only Fine Gael explicitly mentions a sectoral dimension to future talks, which is something Fórsa has pressed for. But, by singling out one group for specific treatment (see above) they may have complicated the task of reaching a deal.

Overall, the main players left me with the impression that we’re facing a tough negotiation regardless of who ends up in government. On the other hand, the details of any possible outcome remain very much in play.

Bernard Harbor is Fórsa’s head of communications.

As the general election campaign entered its second week, most political parties were caught off-guard by the emergence of the pension age as an election issue. Currently the age at which workers can claim the state pension is 66. It’s due to rise to 67 in 2021, and to 68 in 2028.

This means workers whose contracts oblige them to retire at the previous pension qualification age of 65 are forced to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance for a year. The allowance is worth less than the state pension rate, and it’s conditional on being available for work.

Fórsa has supported ICTU and Siptu campaigns to halt next year’s planned increase in the eligibility age for the state pension.

A brief media storm broke out when it emerged that some public servants – those employed between 1995 and 2012, whose occupational pensions are coordinated with the state pension – have access to a supplementary pension scheme.

But there were important inaccuracies in some reports and commentary about the arrangements.

The supplementary pension was introduced in 1995 to deal with issues that arose when the Government reformed pension arrangements by coordinating the occupational pension with the state pension for the first time.

It was designed to ensure that staff who retired before age 65 – as was an option for many – would get the same benefits under the new administrative regime as under the old arrangement.

The supplementary pension is not equal to the state pension – it’s substantially less. This is because it brings payments in line with comparable pre-1995 retirees, not with the current state pension.

A number of media outlets reported this as an ‘unfair advantage’ for public service workers. The tone of the coverage briefly descended into a ‘public versus private sector’ discussion, risking unnecessary division among workers and shifting the focus away from the planned increase to the state pension age.

Fórsa took steps to put the record straight behind the scenes, providing briefings to journalists and political parties on the precise nature and history of the scheme.

Media interest swiftly moved on, while the planned increase in the pension age continued to be a hot election topic. Most political parties have made election pledges either to introduce some form of interim payment for retired workers, or to reverse the plan to increase the pension age.

Fórsa said the priority for any new administration must be to act quickly to end the unnecessary and undignified process of forcing retired workers to claim jobseekers allowance in order to bridge the gap between their retirement and qualifying for the state pension, and to abandon plans to further increase the state pension eligibility age.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) recently launched its feminist manifesto for Ireland as part of an effort to make women’s equality a key feature the election. Party leaders were invited to answer four questions, and there were some interesting results.

Every partly leader thinks of themselves as a feminist, and collectively they outlined achievements for women’s equality including their work to repeal the eighth amendment, extend paternity leave, and hit representation quotas for women candidates in the election.

But they diverged when asked how they would achieve equality if in power after 8th February.

Fianna Fáil and the Greens focussed on gender quotas, while Fine Gael and Labour emphasised gender pay legislation and gender pay gap reporting respectively.

The Social Democrats, Labour and Fianna Fáil all agreed on the need for an improved childcare system, while Sinn Féin focussed solely on the elimination of domestic violence.

A clear divide on the way to achieve equality also emerged when the parties were asked to commit to a gender-balanced cabinet.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats spoke of their absolute commitment to a gender-balanced cabinet, while Labour, Sinn Féin and the Green Party emphasised the importance of electing people who are committed to equality and women’s progression, regardless of their gender.

Read the full responses of the party leaders HERE.

Income inequality should be a key focus in the general election, and proposed tax reforms should not increase the disparity between the rich and poor. So says the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI), which claims lower levels of inequality bring increased life expectancy and happiness, and less stress and crime.

In a blog last week, the think tank said moves to abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC) or raise the point at which workers enter the higher rate of income tax would disproportionately benefit higher earners while reducing the funds available for housing, healthcare, education, childcare and pensions.

It says Ireland’s system of tax breaks also continues to be a leading cause of wealth disparity by benefiting higher earners.

It also criticised policies to simulate housing demand through tax breaks or subsidies for buyers, saying they would ramp up house prices while contributing to the income divide.

NERI says Ireland fares really poorly in terms of household income inequality before tax and welfare is accounted for, and is only able to move to mid-table rank in the EU28 once tax and benefits are taken into account.

It argues that changes to tax policy should not increase income inequality, and only well thought out tax reforms should be pursued.

The full blog post outlining further results of the report on income inequality can be found HERE.

Fórsa members are invited to a photographic exhibition by Emer O’Shea, which aims to raise funds for central Dublin’s Capuchin day centre for the homeless.

Inspired by images of flora and fauna in their natural environment, ‘In the Waters and the Wild’ takes place from 5.30pm on Thursday 13th February at the Richmond education and event centre, which adjoins the INMO headquarters.

Emer is an accomplished photographer who previously worked as an IMPACT official in the north west. The event will be introduced by wildlife broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna, who’s also vice chair of the Tree Council of Ireland.

'In the Waters and the Wild’ takes place from 5.30pm until 8.00pm on Thursday 13th February at the Richmond Education and Event Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin, D07 TH76.

Thousands of childcare workers, educators, parents and supporters are set to gather in Dublin on 5th February to protest about high childcare costs and low pay in the sector. The march, organised by the Early Years Alliance, takes place from 11:30 am on Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

The organisers say over 60% of Ireland’s early years educators earn less than the living wage, despite being qualified.

Fórsa is supporting the Siptu-organised protest to demand greater Government investment to reduce increased costs to parents, increase pay, and support sustainability for childcare professionals.

Ireland currently dedicates just 0.2% of GDP to early childhood education and care (ECEC) – just a quarter of the EU average of 0.8%.

Fórsa is encouraging members who can to participate in the demonstration and show support for childcare professionals. If you can’t be there, you can show support through social media.

The growing cost of childcare in Ireland is a rampant problem for working people, and childcare professionals still continue to suffer from poor pay and working conditions despite their imperative role in today’s society.

Fórsa highlighted the issue in its general election campaign by questioning the main parties on whether they would support publicly-provided and publicly-funded affordable childcare for working people.

The value of pensions for those hired by non-commercial semi-state agencies after January 2013, and retired in or before 2019, increased by 1.3% from January 2020.

The pensioners are members of the ‘single public service pension scheme,’ which was introduced in 2013. Under the scheme, pensions are linked to inflation and rise in line with the consumer price index (CPI).

The value of pension and lump sum benefits for those who are in the scheme, but are still working, also rose by 1.3% from January 2020.

It’s estimated that over 70,000 public servants are now in the scheme, which calculates pensions on the basis of average earnings over a member’s career.

Staff who joined the public service prior to the introduction of the single scheme have their pensions calculated on the basis of earnings at the time of retirement, and their pensions increase with reference to the pay of the grade from which they retired.

Read the circular HERE.

Fórsa submitted eight returns to the lobbying register for the most recent reporting period, which expired on 21st January. The union engaged in political lobbying on public service industrial relations, health, the remunicipalisation of waste services, the National Archives, the school secretaries campaign, housing and the shorter working week. 

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led an ICTU public services committee delegation to meet finance minister Pascal Donohoe to discuss public services and industrial relations matters. He also met Fianna Fáil’s leader and deputy leader on public service matters.

As a body engaged in political lobbying, Fórsa is required to publish lobbying returns

See also: Fórsa trade union profile page on Lobbying.ie.