Fórsa has deferred industrial action planned in Roscommon after the county council accepted a Labour Court clarification on flexitime in the authority. The implementation body, which oversees compliance with the Public Service Stability Agreement and its forerunners, has since appointed a Workplace Relations Commission official to assist the implementation of the Court’s finding.

The Court said its recommendation was “intended to be understood as meaning that normal operational arrangements for flexible working schemes across the local authority sector should apply in this council.”

Last month, the union welcomed the Labour Court clarification, saying it completely supported and vindicated Fórsa’s position. It now says it's "cautiously optimistic" that the issue will be resolved.

“The flexi-time system is of most benefit to lower-paid workers, particularly women with childcare commitments. We were determined to resist any challenges to the scheme, and were not prepared to see Roscommon County Council staff left at a disadvantage relative to their colleagues elsewhere in the country,” said Fórsa official Padraig Mulligan.