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More inspectors as work return intensifies
by Bernard Harbor
 

A significant number of civil and public service employers are stepping up plans for the re-opening of workplaces following the Government’s acceleration of ‘return to work’ measures earlier this month.


A significant number of civil and public service employers are stepping up plans for the re-opening of workplaces following the Government’s acceleration of ‘return to work’ measures earlier this month.

 

The third phase of the Government’s ‘roadmap for reopening society and business,’ due to get underway on Monday week (29th June), envisages the return of workers with “low levels of daily interaction with people.”

 

But the accelerated reopening of retail outlets now underway has already gone beyond that cautious approach, which was originally outlined early last month.

 

Meanwhile, it’s been announced that some 500 agriculture, environmental health and labour inspectors will get powers to enforce coronavirus workplace health measures on foot of union pressure for a more stringent application of safety regulations.

 

They will carry out these responsibilities under the guidance of the Health and Safety Authority, which has so far assigned 67 inspectors to frontline enforcement. Fórsa has called on the agency to develop a ‘business case’ for extra in-house inspectors.

 

The union has also insisted that workers’ safety cannot be compromised as thousands of people return to workplaces. It says employers must fully implement safety measures agreed between the Government, unions, and employers last month.

 

These are set out in a ‘return to work safety protocol,’ which outlines the steps required to ensure a safe workplace as restrictions are relaxed.

 

The secretary general of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation recently told an Oireachtas committee that additional enforcement staffing would include 250 agricultural inspectors, 200 environmental health staff, and 50 labour inspectors.

 

In a written submission to the same committee, Fórsa acknowledged the emerging tensions between public health requirements and the desire for a rapid return to commerce, trade and work.

 

But it said that, “if unsupported by public health expertise,” a bias towards the latter would be self-defeating in terms of jobs and business.

 

“The consistent implementation of the ‘return to work safety protocol,’ agreed between the Government, unions, and employer representatives through the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), must underpin the safe return to work, and ongoing workplace safety, in all sectors,” it said.

 

Read Fórsa’s advice on a safe return to workplaces HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE  or contact us HERE.

 

Home working here to stay, say bosses
by Bernard Harbor
 

Only 12% of business leaders reckon all their staff will return to work premises once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, according to a new survey. 


Only 12% of business leaders reckon all their staff will return to work premises once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, according to a new survey.

 

Almost a third said they were considering downsizing office space, while 40% predicted an equal mix of staff working in the office and remotely.

 

The survey, conducted for the Institute of Directors in Ireland, also found that 30% of bosses think implementing Government-approved social distancing measures will be difficult, although over 70% said the official ‘return to work’ plan was either adequate or well judged.

 

A large majority believe a recession is imminent, but most think it will be a short-lived.

 

The results underline Fórsa’s call for organisations to give proper support to staff who work remotely. In a recent guidance note, the union said employers were obliged to meet health and safety requirements for home workers, and to maintain regular and meaningful contact with staff working away from the workplace.

 

The Fórsa advice, Working at home: Staying safe, connected, healthy and productive, says employers should:

  • Arrange regular phone and video-call contact with staff
  • Give clear instructions and feedback on work
  • Give regular updates on what’s happening and planned in the organisation, including plans for ongoing remote working or returning to work
  • Advise their staff to make immediate contact if they have an accident at work or if work equipment is faulty or needs maintenance, and
  • Have emergency contacts and procedures in place.

In a submission to the Oireachtas Special Committee on the Covid-19 response earlier this month, the union also said employers must seek agreement if they wanted to maintain some or all of their remote working arrangements.

 

“Employers now have a responsibility to engage with staff representatives to foster an agreed approach to the organisation of working time and location that can accommodate the various circumstances and concerns of their staff,” it said.

 

The union also said that a national public policy response could be needed. “There may emerge a need for stronger statutory and regulatory safeguards, as the expansion of remote working could otherwise be accompanied by an increase in the insecurity and exploitation associated with the ‘gig’ economy,” it argued.

 

Read the Fórsa guidance HERE.

 

If you have questions or concerns about your own situation, you can contact Fórsa HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Government programme foresees pay talks
by Bernard Harbor
 

The draft programme for government, now being considered by members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, says a coalition Government made up of the three parties would seek to negotiate a new public service pay deal.


The draft programme for government, now being considered by members of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, says a coalition Government made up of the three parties would seek to negotiate a new public service pay deal.

 

The current Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) expires in December.

 

The draft programme says a new Government’s approach to public service pay would “be guided by the State’s financial position and outlook, challenges in relation to recruitment and retention, and conditions within the broader labour market.”

 

It acknowledges the “important role” played by public servants, and pledges to ensure that “positive work practice changes” introduced during the Covid-19 emergency are embedded in any new pay deal, along with general productivity gains.

 

The document says the Government would seek a sectoral bargaining clause in any agreement, although it does not elaborate on this.

 

In exploratory talks with Government officials prior to the election and coronavirus crisis, Fórsa had argued for a mechanism to allow sectoral and grade claims to be considered as part of any new deal. But there has been no engagement since before the election.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Coalition proposal short on housing ambition
by Mehak Dugal
 

The Fórsa-backed ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign has called on an incoming government to deliver 100,000 new public homes, which is twice the number set out in the draft programme for government published earlier this week.

 


The Fórsa-backed ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign has called on an incoming government to deliver 100,000 new public homes, which is twice the number set out in the draft programme for government published earlier this week.

 

In a new document, Remaking Ireland: A new deal for housing, the campaign coalition also seeks an end to the sale of public land for private development, advocates fair rents and secure tenancies, and a calls for a commitment to end homelessness within the lifetime of the next government.

 

The initiative is backed by over 50 organisations including trade unions, housing and homelessness organisations, student bodies and others.

 

Remaking Ireland also calls for access to affordable housing for all essential workers who have provided invaluable services during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Fórsa lead organiser Kevin Donoghue said the union’s general election campaigning had prioritised local authority-led public housing and a referendum on the right to a home. The recently-published draft programme for government includes a commitment to a referendum within five years.

 

“The scale of the crisis is reflected in the ambition of this new report. We can’t go back to the way things were, and that means the State must play a central role in the provision of housing. The Raise the Roof proposals seek to deliver that,” said Kevin.

 

National Women’s Council director Orla O’Connor highlighted the plight of women affected by the housing crisis. “The housing crisis is a women’s issue and, prior to the pandemic, we had the highest female homeless rate across Europe. We need to address this as a matter of urgency and we urge the parties engaged in government formation talks to take these proposals on board,” she said.

 

Read the report HERE.

Find out more about the ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Ratings agencies ranked low
by Bernard Harbor
 

The repayment of national debt incurred on foot of the coronavirus crisis can’t take precedence over investment in economic reconstruction, social solidarity and the creation of jobs capable of sustaining decent living standards.


The repayment of national debt incurred on foot of the coronavirus crisis can’t take precedence over investment in economic reconstruction, social solidarity and the creation of jobs capable of sustaining decent living standards.

 

That’s according to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, whose Irish Times letter supporting president Michael D Higgins’s recent criticism of international ratings agencies was published this week.

 

The ratings agencies are private companies that assess the credit-worthiness of nations and other borrowers. Their judgements pushed borrowing costs up in the aftermath of the 2008 banking crisis – so much so that Ireland and a small number of other countries couldn’t borrow, and were forced into ‘austerity’ agreements with the Troika.

 

But Kevin said the world economy was now in a fundamentally different place.

 

“Then, a relatively small number of countries faced major fiscal crises. Today, virtually every country in Europe and across the globe has correctly spent billions to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and to deal with its immediate health and economic impacts,” he wrote.

 

“In 2008 and after, elected politicians lived in fear of the ratings agencies while commentators hung upon their every word. Today, a very broad range of economists, commentators and decision-makers have rightly called for an entirely different public policy response, at national and international level,” he said.

 

Kevin said national debts would have to be repaid in the long term, but putting this ahead of investment in jobs and services would be “wholly unacceptable to the millions of people who have weathered the first coronavirus storm – with its bereavement, illness, worry, social disruption, and economic hardship.”

 

“The ratings agencies that have had a disproportionate influence on our lives and livelihoods are answerable to nobody. President Higgins is quite right to say they should play no part in the global response to the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Unions celebrate public service day
by Niall Shanahan
 

The European Federation of Public Services Unions has called for a celebration of public service workers’ contributions during Covid-19 on the annual United Nations day of public services next Tuesday (23rd June).


The European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU) has called for a celebration of the public service workers’ contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic on the annual United Nations day of public services next Tuesday (23rd June).

 

EPSU says arguments for cuts to funding and wage freezes are starting in some countries, even while public service workers are applauded for their work during the crisis.

 

Fórsa is an active member of the federation, which plans to highlight union demands for fundamental change and a determination to resist any new austerity policies advocated by employers or governments.

 

UN public service day will be used to celebrate the work of public service workers across Europe and remember the many public servants who have been infected, hospitalised and even died in service.

 

The EPSU celebration will draw on Fórsa’s ‘hidden heroes’ campaign, which told the stories of Ireland’s public servants responding to the pandemic and its changing demands on public services.

 

See more HERE.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Campaign series starts next Friday
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa’s summer series of webinars on campaigning issues kicks off a week today (1.00pm, Friday 26th June) when expert speakers will discuss ideas for a new post-coronavirus social and economic model, with people at its centre.


Fórsa’s summer series of webinars on campaigning issues kicks off a week today (1.00pm, Friday 26th June) when expert speakers will discuss ideas for a new post-coronavirus social and economic model, with people at its centre.

 

Speakers will include economists Aiden Regan and Stephen Kinsella, associate professors at University College Dublin and Limerick University respectively, labour specialist Alice Martin and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.

 

The campaigning summer school has been an integral event in the union calendar since June 2017. In light of the current Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 school is being delivered as a series of weekly online lunchtime events.

 

Future sessions will explore collective bargaining (3rd July), campaigning (10th July), universal healthcare (16th July), Climate action and automation (24th July), and the future of work (31st July).

 

Each moderated session will feature a panel discussion followed by questions moderated through the video-conference chat box.

 

All Fórsa activists and members are welcome to register for the events by emailing kdonoghue@forsa.ie.

 

Find out more about the programme and speakers HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Pride goes digital this year
by Mehak Dugal
 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has organised a digital event on the role of trade unions in the fight for LGBT+ equality as part of this year’s Pride month.


The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has organised a digital event on the role of trade unions in the fight for LGBT+ equality as part of this year’s Pride month. ‘Pride in your union,’ which takes place on Thursday 25th June, features a panel discussions with a wide range of speakers, plus a reading from Brian Merriman’s play Eirebrushed.

 

Fórsa official Andy Pike said the union was supporting the ICTU digital pride event, which highlights the invaluable role played by trade unions in the struggle for genuine equality for LGBT+ workers.

 

“The trade union movement has been crucial in securing LGBT+ workplace rights. The digital pride event provides an opportunity to explore the issues faced by the community and to discuss ways in which the movement can continue to build support for greater equality for LGBT+ workers,” he said.

 

Andy encouraged Fórsa members to take part and join in the discussion.

 

Register for the event HERE and get more information HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Feature Article
Parenting in a pandemic
 

The first of Fórsa’s new series of live wellness webinars kicks off next Wednesday (24th June) when child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor talks with Ireland AM presenter Karen Koster about parenting in a pandemic. Dr Noctor will answer your questions too. Get more information and register for the event HERE.


The first of Fórsa’s new series of live wellness webinars kicks off next Wednesday (24th June) when child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor talks with Ireland AM presenter Karen Koster about parenting in a pandemic. Dr Noctor will answer your questions too.

 

This is the first in a series of five events to be broadcast live over the coming weeks. Created in association with Cornmarket, and informed by the recent survey of Fórsa members, the series aims to help union members navigate some of the challenging issues of the Covid-19 era.

 

The first broadcast, which takes place at 11.15 am on Wednesday 24th June, features child expert Dr Noctor, who has worked across a range of child and adult mental health services in Ireland and abroad. Parenting podcaster and Ireland AM presenter Karen Koster will host the interactive broadcast and take your questions. You can book your place HERE.

 

Dr Noctor is based in St Patrick's mental health service and is a part-time associate professor in Trinity College. He has worked in London’s Great Ormond Street hospital, the Royal Edinburgh hospital, Our Lady’s hospital in Crumlin, and the Lucena child mental health services.

 

Broadcaster Karen Koster currently presents Ireland AM and was previously an anchor on Xposé, Ireland's primetime entertainment news show. She created and presented the Virgin Media One documentary Mammy’s Guilt, which explored the challenges of juggling work and home responsibilities.

 

Brought to you by Fórsa and Cornmarket, and informed by concerns expressed by union members in a recent survey, the weekly series of webinars will feature experts on managing anxiety, motivation at work and home, managing eating, and minding your money in these uncertain times. Mental health advocate and rugby pundit Brent Pope will be among the hosts.

 

The survey of Fórsa members found that four out of five Fórsa members had felt anxious or nervous as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Nearly a quarter expressed concerns over parenting, while over 70% reported problems with sleeping.

 

The survey was carried out by Cornmarket, which administers two of the union’s salary protection schemes.

 

Register for ‘parenting in a pandemic’ (11.15am, Wednesday 24th June) HERE.

 

Get more details on future Fórsa-Cornmarket ‘Wellness Wednesday’ events HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Also in this issue
Fórsa supports Debenhams workers
by Niall Shanahan
 

Fórsa has declared its support for Debenhams workers across Ireland, who are protesting today (Friday) in a nationwide picket of stores. The demonstration takes place between 11am and 3pm as part of their campaign to win redundancy pay for more than 1,000 workers sacked by the company.

 

In a message sent to the Debenhams workers and their union, Mandate, Fórsa president Ann McGee and general secretary Kevin Callinan said the workers had the full backing of Fórsa in their campaign.

 

Kevin said the company had shown callous disregard for its workers, while cynically attempting to avoid its obligations to them. “Debenhams workers have the full backing of Fórsa and I’m calling on our members to show their solidarity today, in person or on social media,” he said.

 

Fórsa president Ann McGee said all trade union members had a responsibility to get behind the Debenhams workers.

 

“They are among many workers who’ve been dealt a very serious blow during the pandemic, but their employer has tried to use it as cover to avoid providing decent redundancy terms for their staff. We must show solidarity and support them,” she said.

 

Debenhams management sent emails to their staff in April to say they would have no job to return to after the pandemic.

 

Mandate said the company had first transferred assets out of the country to avoid having to make redundancy payments to its staff.

 

The Debenhams workers have been protesting outside 11 closed stores for a number of weeks, following a vote for industrial action. On Wednesday they brought their campaign to the recently-reopened store in Belfast.

 

Mandate said a key objective of the industrial action campaign is to prevent the removal of any remaining company assets from the closed stores, and to pressurise Debenhams’ UK parent company to pay a fair, union-negotiated redundancy package to their staff in Ireland.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Bereavement help at hand
by Hazel Gavigan
 

The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) has launched a new bereavement support helpline, which is available to anyone dealing with the death of a loved one during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

With over 1,700 coronavirus-related deaths in Ireland so far, many people have experienced bereavement accompanied by restrictions on funerals and memorial services.

 

Rebecca Kelly of the IHF said the foundation had teamed up with the HSE to give free support to workers and their families. “Pandemic restrictions have changed the traditional ways we mark grief. For the moment, it’s not possible to come together like we traditionally do, which means many people are facing bereavement in isolation,” she said.

 

Rebecca said the helpline was open to those affected by a Covid-related death or death from another cause.” People could also be finding a previous bereavement more difficult during this time. Whatever the situation, this helpline is open to all who are struggling,” she said.

 

The helpline aims to provide a confidential space for people to ask questions or speak about their experience.

 

Call the freephone service on 1800-80-7077 between 10.00am and 1.00pm, Monday to Friday. Get more information HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Demand for homecare workers highlighted
by Niall Shanahan
 

The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) marked international domestic workers day on Tuesday by calling on the Government to recognise the contribution of homecare workers during and after the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Edel McGinley of MRCI said Covid-19 had shown the importance of these essential workers in our communities. “Their work enables Irish families to provide much needed care for their loved ones to stay at home and live safely and independently,” she said.

 

Ms McGinley said demand for home care services is predicted to increase by 66% by 2030, while 20,000 workers are needed to keep up with current demand. More than 7,000 people are on HSE waiting lists for home care services, while 27,000 family carers have unmet respite care needs.

 

While one in three of undocumented workers in Ireland are employed in care and domestic work, and despite the soaring demand for more care workers, only six new work permits were granted in 2018 for care and domestic work.

 

Alma*, an undocumented domestic worker said: “I love the woman I work with. We have been cocooning together, but we haven’t been able to leave the house for the past 12 weeks. It has been okay, but I always worry about my own family.”

 

MCRI’s Linda Keitasha said migrant domestic workers were among the unsung heroes of the pandemic.

 

“The draft programme for government has welcome commitments to regularise undocumented workers and introduce a new statutory homecare scheme for older people. We hope that these will be given urgent attention when the new government forms,” she said.

 

*Not her real name.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Minding men’s health
by Róisín McKane
 

Monday marked the start of ‘international men’s health week,’ an annual event that encourages men to take an active role in managing their health and promotes awareness about various health issues.

 

Research shows that men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and have higher mortality rates than women for almost all of the leading causes of death. Men are also much more likely than women to die from the coronavirus.

 

Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, this year’s men’s health week sets some realistic and practical health objectives under the banner ‘restoring the balance.’

 

The HSE has shared messages to support the theme on social media, and they’re asking you to join the conversation and share using the hashtags #restorethebalance and #menshealthweek .

 

For more information on International Men’s Health Week click HERE.

 

Join the conversation HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

 

 

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Fórsa: Here to support you
 

Fórsa is here to protect you if you have problems arising from the coronavirus or other workplace issues. The best way to contact the union at this time is HERE.

 

We will deal with queries as quickly as we can but, needless to say, the union will prioritise cases where members’ jobs and incomes are at immediate risk – as well as any serious health and safety issues that may arise.

 

Fórsa has cancelled all face-to-face meetings for the time being. The union is redeploying its staff to prioritise engagement with management on proposals arising from the Covid-19 public health crisis, and to provide rapid and efficient responses to members’ queries and concerns.

 

Fórsa's main phone line (01 817 1500) is now open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively members can use the Contact Us page on the Fórsa website to submit queries directly to the relevant division within Fórsa and this remains the most efficient way to access advice directly.

 

Wherever possible, Fórsa staff have been equipped to work remotely. Therefore, members should not attend Fórsa offices at this time. If you have a query or concern, the best way to raise it is to contact the union HERE.

Union guidance for remote working
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa has published new advice for workers who will be working remotely in the medium or long-term.

 

The guidance was produced as the Government’s recently-announced ‘roadmap for reopening society and business’, made it clear that many public servants and others will continue to work from home for some time.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the working circumstances of almost half of Ireland’s workers, with more than a third now working from home. This extended period of remote working is a new experience for most.

 

While some have now established a productive and rewarding remote working routine, it can be a struggle at times.

 

Working at home: Staying safe, connected, healthy and productive contains advice on health and safety, setting up a workspace, breaks, staying in touch with managers and colleagues, and balancing work with home life and childcare.

 

The guide also contains useful tips on data protection, cybersecurity, and safeguarding your mental health.


Róisín McKane of Fórsa’s Communications Unit drafted the guidance. “Many union members could be working remotely for longer than they ever expected. This information will help them to navigate home working for an extended period.

 

“You may be out of the workplace, but you can still rely on certain legal protections, and you should look to your employer for the supports you need to do your job safely and well,” she said.

 

Read the Fórsa guidance HERE. 

 

If you have questions or concerns about your own situation, you can contact Fórsa HERE

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Covid-19: Guidance on returning to your workplace
 
Join Fórsa online
 

Workers who wish to join Fórsa can to do so using a new ‘join online’ function on the union’s website.

 

Going live with the new system follows several months of research, preparation and testing aimed at making it easier than ever to join the union. It also goes live as the union continues to process a large number of new membership applications, as interest in joining the union has surged since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Fórsa’s general secretary Kevin Callinan commented: “The current crisis has created the necessity to be able to carry out our business in different ways. Work on this project had commenced before the Covid-19 crisis took hold, and its completion marks a vital step as we tackle the challenges of living in changed times.

 

“We can see that more people want to join a union in response to what’s happening in the wider economy. It’s vital that they can take those initial steps quickly and easily, and making the membership application process more accessible is part of that process.

 

“This is a crucial new venture to enable Fórsa to substantially increase our membership - and to strengthen the union’s hand - at a critical time in the union’s development,” he said.

 

The online facility is a streamlined and simplified membership application process, and will be the quickest and easiest way to join the union. All incoming applications will continue to be subject to check-off and approval by Fórsa branches and the national executive committee, while the new online system is designed to ease the administrative burden on branches.

 

You can join Fórsa online at https://join.forsa.ie/