Fórsa and other health unions are working to win recognition for the effort and commitment shown by health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of their ‘Respect = Recognition’ campaign.
 
And the union is asking members to support the campaign by completing this short survey, which will help strengthen the case it’s putting to the Government and Labour Court. 
 
The Labour Court hearing on the row over recognition for health workers’ efforts and commitment during the Covid-19 pandemic takes place later today (Monday, 13th September).

Now is the last chance to get your word in, by completing the survey.  

Fórsa’s Head of Health & Welfare, Éamonn Donnelly, said: “It’s demoralising that we’ve ended up in the Labour Court when there is broad public and political consensus on the issue.”

The meeting is a result of the failure of HSE representatives to table an offer at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing in early August. They said they had no mandate from the Government.

“This has become deeply damaging to the morale of health care workers who, without exception, have demonstrated extraordinary commitment in their response to public need since the pandemic struck in February 2021,” said Éamonn.

The survey will only accept responses up to 6pm on Wednesday (15th September). So if you haven’t filled it out already, make sure to do so now HERE.

Last year, Fórsa and other health unions submitted a claim for some form of recognition for Covid-19 work. Then, in February, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said “key staff” who had worked during the pandemic could receive a cash payment or extra leave. 

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly’s comments in Limerick, where he said that he “definitely want[s] to see some form of recognition for the extraordinary work that they've all put in,” awarded some hope of expectation and compensation to health workers around the country, who were later disappointed at the empty handed approach of representatives at the Workplace relations commission early last month. 

Éamonn has since called on the HSE and relevant Government departments to engage with health service unions to agree and implement the promised recognition without any further delay.
 
The group of unions have said they want employer representatives to come to the table and have a “real discussion” about a range of options consistent with the messaging from Government.

Health workers in Northern Ireland, France, Denmark and elsewhere have been offered some form of tangible recognition for their work during the pandemic crisis.
 
The national staff panel of health care workers unions represents members of the INMO, SIPTU, Fórsa, IMO, MLSA, UNITE, CONNECT, and the craft group of unions.

Make sure your voice is heard by filling out the survey HERE.