A dispute about promotion competitions for grades IV to VII under the local government common recruitment pool has been jointly referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) by Fórsa and local authority employers. A hearing has been scheduled for 22nd February.

Fórsa’s local government executive committee has rejected management proposals to have all promotions open to public competition. The union is instead seeking arrangements similar to those in place in education and the civil service.

Meanwhile, the union has submitted a business case to the Labour Court in support of its claim for a job evaluation scheme in local authorities. It commissioned an independent report from Employee Resources after the court previously said Fórsa should supply a “business case” for such a scheme. A response is now awaited.