Fórsa members at Oberstown Children’s Detention Campus remain engaged in work-to-rule action this week, as the union prepares for a further engagement with management on Monday 6th July. 

The action follows last week’s formal notice of industrial action, issued after inconclusive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the continued failure to resolve long-standing concerns around safe staffing levels and capacity pressures at the campus. 

The current measures include a refusal to work beyond rostered or contracted hours and a refusal to undertake overtime. The action is backed by a strong ballot mandate, with 91% of members voting in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action. 

Fórsa assistant general secretary Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins confirmed that direct talks between the union and Oberstown management have been scheduled for Monday 6th July. The meeting follows correspondence issued by Fórsa to the WRC last week, as management sought clarification on the union’s notice of action. 

While the Department of Children, Disability and Equality will not be represented at Monday’s meeting, the union says it will engage in good faith. However, concerns remain about the approach being taken locally by management. 

Deirdre said reports from members indicate that management has issued conflicting information to members on the Oberstown campus regarding the scope of the action. 

Fórsa will address this directly at Monday’s meeting: “Members are in regular contact with their union, and we will be addressing any attempt to undermine the action or create confusion,” she said. 

Any progress arising from Monday’s meeting is now likely to determine the next phase of the dispute. Fórsa has indicated that, in the absence of meaningful progress, escalation of industrial action may be considered in line with the existing ballot mandate. 

The union’s position remains that safe staffing is essential to ensuring a safe environment for both staff and young people at the campus. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.