Fórsa’s Community Employment (CE) branch is to recommend acceptance of WRC proposals issued in early March. A ballot is due to get underway in the coming days.

The deal provides for a 5% pay improvement in two phases this year, in addition to a new mechanism for engagement on future pay determination.

The CE branch represents community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors. The ICTU-led union delegation at the WRC included SIPTU representatives.

Fórsa official Tony Martin explained: “The WRC proposals provide for a 3% increase in basic pay from 1^st April and a 2% increase from November.

“This is a group who haven’t seen a pay improvement in a long time, so while this is a welcome outcome of the process, the proposals on a mechanism for future pay engagement is very significant.

“It will mean we can commence discussions on the link between project funding and remuneration as early as this year, and these discussions will be cognisant of cost-of-living and related pay increases.

“Should agreement not be possible the parties have recourse to a WRC conciliation process. Perhaps most significantly, the agreed mechanism will be subject to review in the first half of 2027.

“Essentially, we have access now to an agreed process on pay that wasn’t there before, and that process is subject to review. These are the kinds of measures that will help us secure improved pay measures into the future,” he said.

Tony added that the CE branch is recommending a vote to accept the deal, and that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is finalising a notice for the ballot.

Fórsa members working at the Tús initiative, the Rural Social Scheme or the Job Initiative scheme are encouraged to contact the union in order to ensure they can participate in this ballot. You can contact the union HERE.

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