Fórsa's local government and local services division is inviting members currently working at Grade VIII level across local authorities to attend an online meeting on Friday 17th October at 1.15pm. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the local bargaining claim submitted for members working in local authorities at Grade VIII level. This will include senior executive officers, county and city librarians, heads of information systems, financial accountants, management accountants, financial and management accountants, among others.  

Local bargaining is a form of collective bargaining that was included in the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026. 

It allows grades, groups, or categories to negotiate claims up to 3% of overall payroll costs.  The first phase of this was due to be paid from 1st September 2025, with a second phase payable after the expiry of the current agreement in June 2026.  

Fórsa has lodged several cross sectoral ‘core’ claims and numerous sector specific claims on behalf of members across all divisions of the union, including local government. Active negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform, and Digitalisation (DPER) are ongoing.  

The meeting is exclusively open to Fórsa members working in local authorities at these grades. Registration is required and can be completed here.

A link will be issued on the morning of the meeting to those registered to attend. 

Head of division Richy Carrothers urged members to attend, saying: “The local bargaining claims submitted by Fórsa will be based on what members tell us they want. Now we need to update you on the progress that has been made. Be heard, get involved and shape your pay.”