Following ongoing negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) Fórsa is now waiting for an offer in relation to the cross sectoral local bargaining claim for clerical officers and grade 3 equivalent roles.
Updating members on the state of play deputy general secretary and head of the civil service division, Éamonn Donnelly said: “We are awaiting a formal offer from DPER. We anticipate that it will be based on the removal of one point of the scale and an upwards adjustment on the maximum point of the scale.”
“This would be in line with what members told us they wanted to see happen. These claims were shaped by members, and when we receive an offer, we will outline next steps, including details of a ballot, should the offer be reasonable.”
Éamonn continued, “It is important to note that this is only phase one of the overall claim, in respect of the 1% payroll quantum available from 1st September 2025. The remainder of the claim will be pursued under the remaining 2% of payroll quantum available after June 2026.
“The phase one adjustment reflects part settlement of the claim based on the outcome of the survey of members and union conference motions, which seek shortening of pay scales and recognition of long service”.
Local bargaining is a type of collective bargaining featured in the Public Service 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 further second phase to be agreed as part of a new agreement.
Fórsa has lodged three cross sectoral ‘core’ claims and numerous sector specific claims on behalf of members across all divisions of the union.
The discussions currently ongoing are focused on the clerical officer or grade 3 equivalent roles claim and the executive officer, administrative officer, higher executive officer or grade 4-7 equivalent roles claim.
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