After two years of discussions between unions and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER), an end is in sight, with reform of the conciliation and arbitration scheme (C&A) nearly complete. 

Deputy general secretary and head of the civil service division Éamonn Donnelly said: “We set out to achieve a similar set of standards for industrial relations in the civil service as those that exist for all other workers in the country. We are close to completing the much-needed reform of the C&A scheme, and I’m confident that we will soon reach agreement on the sole remaining issue.” 

While processes and pathways will need to be drafted, all other elements of the scheme have been agreed.  

There will be a new ‘fit-for-purpose’ grievance procedure, with a pathway to external adjudication if internal resolution cannot be reached, there will be an independent chair of the General Council appointed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC),  and there will be a dispute resolution procedure with a role for the WRC in facilitation of trade disputes. 

The issue that remains under discussion relates to the timeline for exchange of statements. Éamonn explained that the union side would prefer to move to simultaneous exchange of statements, as fixed timelines would allow for timely resolution of grievances, but the official side would prefer to retain the current system of statements and counter-statements. 

He said: “It’s too hard to police or enforce a system with no timelines. However, we would be prepared to consider a solution where a fixed date is agreed for arbitration, with statements exchanged in advance. In that way, we would ensure that issues are brought to a conclusion while they remain relevant.” 

Éamonn concluded: “This has been a huge body of work. The current scheme is decades out of date. It was written on a typewriter for a bygone era, it’s no longer appropriate for the modern-day workplace. The new scheme will be straightforward, fair, and easy to navigate. It will be accompanied by a ‘user guide’ to make sure anyone who needs to use the scheme can understand it.”  

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