Last week the union announced that its industrial action in Tusla would escalate on Monday 4th of December, however, following an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that action has now been paused.

This industrial action involves Tusla’s clerical and administrative staff employed in grades three to six, who balloted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in September. The action takes the form of a series of non-cooperation actions. The dispute has arisen because Tusla has failed to honour the 2013 framework agreement specifically in relation to access to the job evaluation scheme.

The Disputes Committee met on the 29th of November following receipt of an invitation from the WRC to explore the issues surrounding the dispute and ascertain if it is possible to find a route to resolution.

The Disputes Committee decided to agree to exploratory talks under the auspices of the WRC and, given the WRC invitation was conditional on the union 'pausing' its escalation of industrial action, the Disputes Committee agreed to ‘pause’ the escalation to allow for these talks to take place. The WRC date is scheduled for Monday 4th December 2023. The existing instruction related to the ongoing industrial action, in place since 25th October, remains in place. An FAQ on this dispute is available here.

Assistant General Secretary in the Health Division Chris Cully said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank members for their continued diligence and co-operation with this industrial action. We are stronger when we stand together. This dispute is of a very grave nature. Breaching a framework agreement protecting staff terms and conditions cannot be taken lightly. We are determined to ensure our members gain access to the job evaluation scheme that is part of the 2013 framework agreement.”