The commitment to conduct this review is contained in the national pay agreement Building Momentum.

Talks will now take place on the key issues such as the need to improve job security, the need to stop any misuse of the 72-hour’ obligation and the obligation, in post-primary schools, to be available for work in June.

Fórsa will also be seeking confirmation that the minimum essential qualification will be changed, and that the national SNA training programme will be accredited, as recommended by the UCD School of Education.

We welcome the fact that these negotiations have now commenced. These talks provide an opportunity to end the abuses of the ‘72-hour’ obligation.

We’ll be pressing hard for proper recognition of the professional role of SNAs through the promised review of the minimum essential qualification, as well as seeking a robust redeployment scheme to replace the current redundancy scheme.

These talks will not be easy or quick.

We will shortly be outlining the rationale for the changes we are seeking to the Department of Education. We expect the department to set out its formal position at the end of January (2023).

This process will be led by my colleague Shane Lambert, our assistant general secretary for the schools sector, who will be issuing regular updates to members on key developments.

SNAs have waited a long, long time for these important issues to be discussed. We will all be working as hard as we can to bring these talks to a successful conclusion.

More updates will be issued to members as these talks progress.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa is urging caretakers to attend the inaugural caretaker branch annual general meeting (AGM) which will take place at 11am on Saturday the 12^th of November in Fórsa’s Nerney’s Court office, Dublin.

The AGM will see a formal branch executive committee established, elected by members to represent caretakers in discussions with the Department of Education and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Fórsa official Shane Lambert explained the importance of this meeting and encouraged members to get involved.

“Whilst we have agreement in principle on issues and a clear framework that we can now follow, there are items that will require further discussion with the Department, such as defining the correct pay scale to be used and considering items that would not have featured in the secretary discussions such as on-call, or call-out,” he said.

Shane called on members to “get active, get engaged and get involved” with the new branch and encouraged caretaking colleagues and friends to do likewise.

“If you know of someone who has not yet joined the union, tell them to do so urgently. Together we will make significant strides in giving caretakers and secretaries the protections and recognition they deserve,” he said.

Special needs assistants (SNAs) should have access to appropriate training and supports, to enable them to support the mental health needs of the students they work with.

That was the message delivered to the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science this week by Fórsa, which represents more than 12,000 SNAs nationwide.

Gary Honer, industrial relations officer, told the committee on Tuesday (25th October) that the close bond and rapport between SNAs and the students they work with meant that SNAs were often the main point of support for a student experiencing grief, trauma or other mental health challenges.

Gary told the committee that, in circumstances where the National Education Psychology Service (NEPS) was called in to provide support to students – for example following the death of a fellow student – the service provided was time-limited: “NEPS, while providing a valuable service, only deals with students in the moment and at a particular flashpoint in time.

“We have heard several personal accounts of situations, for example, where a student under the care of an SNA may pull out a book or a toy that happened to be the favourite of their deceased classmate, and that child is brought back into the grief and loss of their friend,” he said.

Gary added that SNAs require additional professional training and support in order to be better equipped to respond to students in similar circumstances. He told the committee: “With the introduction of schools-based mental health supports at primary level, there is an opportunity to strengthen and protect the mental wellbeing of children, while also supporting parents, teachers and SNAs, as well as effect a reduction in the number of children requiring specialist mental health treatment.”

Gary advised the committee that the inclusion of SNAs in the ‘Mind-Out’ programme, developed by the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway and the HSE’s Health Promotion and Improvement department, would enhance the benefits and supports available to students in primary and secondary schools: “The programme is proven to strengthen young people’s social and emotional coping skills, and to improve their overall mental health and wellbeing.

“While teachers can avail of extra personal days (EPV), to participate in the ‘Mind-Out’ training programme, SNAs do not have access, and this inhibits the capacity of schools to build these valuable supports into the school community. As their representative union, Fórsa believes SNAs should be included in the roll-out of this programme,” he said.

Gary said the exclusion of SNAs from the training was symptomatic of an existing lack of recognition of SNAs as a professional grade in the education sector. He added: “For example, in comparison to social workers, who have a defined career hierarchy and support structure, with senior social workers and principal social workers, which encourages reflective practice and child-centred interventions based on the individual child’s needs.”

He said the union will continue to campaign for this this model of professional infrastructure for SNAs, because it would ultimately benefit the students availing of SNA support.

WATCH VIDEO: Gary Honer addressing the Joint Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on Tuesday 25th October 2022

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa is one of the unions that has formed the coalition behind the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign. Launched yesterday (Thursday), the campaign calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by Fórsa, SIPTU, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Speaking at yesterday’s campaign launch, ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan, said the campaign to name the date for a referendum represented a shared commitment by trade unions to ensure the future of public ownership of water services: “It’s time now to end any lingering uncertainty about the future of water services in Ireland. A referendum would give people the opportunity to have their say, in addition to providing us all with a unique opportunity to safeguard public ownership of water for future generations.

“In that sense, there should be no further hesitation, and we are urging the Government now to name the date. In doing so, it would be taking a welcome and positive step,” he said.

Assistant general secretary Catherine Keogh, who has been working closely with Fórsa members in local authorities providing water services, has said the feeling among members is very strong: “They want the Government to name the date for a referendum, to clearly indicate when we can expect to cast a vote to protect the future of our water services. That feeling is universal, so I expect we’ll see strong support for this campaign,” she said.

Fórsa’s head of Local Government Richy Carrothers said the unions had come together to maximise participation in the campaign by union members: “Privatised water services result in higher costs and poorer services for the public. Public ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone.

“A referendum would help protect Irish water services from any future attempt at privatisation, providing a constitutional guarantee of public ownership. Opinion polls show that a huge majority of the Irish public want a referendum to ensure water services can never be privatised.

“We’re inviting all union branches and members to take part in this campaign by signing the petition and talking to their local political representatives about naming a date for this important referendum.

“This is the kind of grassroots campaign that unions excel at, and I’m confident that Fórsa members will seize the opportunity to get this message across to the Government parties,” he said.

You can sign the petition here and Fórsa members are encouraged to circulate the link among work colleagues, friends and family to seek their support for the campaign.

Fórsa is urging its members to support a national demonstration calling for an end to the housing and homeless crisis, which takes place in Dublin on Saturday, 26^th November.

The ‘Raise the Roof’ rally will call for a large-scale public house-building scheme. Its organisers are a coalition of trade unions, housing and homelessness organisations, and student bodies.

Other ‘Raise the Roof’ demands include rent controls, an end to forced evictions, more secure tenancies, and a legal right to housing.

Fórsa and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) are supporting the protest and are encouraging members to attend the Dublin city demonstration.

Details of the rally route will soon issue to branches, but those looking to get involved should contact campaigns director Kevin Donoghue HERE.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Owen Reidy has been appointed as the new general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), replacing Patricia King, who stepped down from the post this month. Owen’s appointment followed a competitive interview process for the general secretary post.

A native of Donegal, with 24 years of full-time experience in the Irish trade union movement, Owen started his career as a union official in SIPTU in the west of Ireland, and occupied a range of roles in the union representing and organising workers in the aviation, insurance, and finance, non-commercial semi-states, and cleaning and security sectors.

Appointed one of SIPTU’s five divisional organisers in 2013, Owen managed the union’s Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction division, a period during which he was involved in several high profile and successful industrial disputes. These include the Greyhound lockout, Luas dispute, and pay disputes in the CIE transport companies.

In 2016 Owen became assistant general secretary of ICTU, with primary responsibility for the Congress in Northern Ireland. He has established himself as the recognised voice of the trade union movement in Northern Ireland on issues such as Brexit, political stalemate at Stormont, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Welcoming Owen to address Fórsa’s national executive in Donegal this week, ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said Owen had a phenomenal track record as an industrial official and as a spokesperson on trade union issues: “I’m delighted that Fórsa’s national executive was able to welcome Owen in his native Donegal.

“His appointment marks a proud moment for Owen and his family, and on behalf of Fórsa’s membership I am delighted to welcome him into his new role. With Irish and European collective bargaining structures set to be overhauled, our movement is entering a dynamic new phase, with significant new challenges on several fronts, both in terms of the economic outlook and the challenges laid down by the high-level group on collective bargaining.

“As ICTU president I’m delighted to work with Owen as we enter this new phase. He will bring fresh energy to the task of ensuring we meet the challenges in a way that produces real improvements in the pay and conditions of workers, and he has shown that he has the qualities to unite the movement in pursuit of its core objectives.

“Equally, I want to add my deep appreciation for the amazing work and legacy of Patricia King, who has done enormous work to help shape a better future for Irish workers,” he said

Addressing the Fórsa national executive Owen said the immediate priority for Congress is to transpose the recent Adequate Minimum Wages directive, and to legislate for the LEEF High-Level Group report on collective bargaining in Ireland: “I am delighted and humbled to be selected for this important leadership role in our trade union movement. I think we have the potential to rebuild and grow our movement and reach out to workers currently not organised in trade unions. We need to make work pay for all and build a more inclusive economy and society,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa is encouraging members to take part in a new union survey on domestic violence.

The purpose of this study is to garner a better understanding of domestic abuse amongst the union membership. This survey also sets out to establish attitudes towards domestic abuse and evaluate supports available in workplaces.

This survey is strictly anonymous, and Fórsa will be unable to identify those who have taken part. The collated results will be presented at the upcoming equality network seminar on Wednesday 9^th November.

The survey will remain open until midday on Friday 4^th November, and can be accessed HERE. 

We understand that this can be a sensitive and difficult topic and we would like to draw your attention to some supports:

• If you or a family member are in immediate danger you can find a list of urgent supports HERE.
• Women’s Aid 
• Men’s Development Network and the Male Advice Line
• Women’s Aid has put together some useful resources to assist in safeguarding digital safety. You can read more HERE.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa’s equality network seminar will take place on Wednesday 9^th November in Nerney’s Court, Dublin.

The all-day event will be the first in person equality session since 2019 and will provide a unique opportunity for interested activists to discuss a range of issues.

The seminar will feature key speakers on LGBTQ+ progress and domestic abuse workplace policy, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman will address the seminar. Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan and union president Michael Smyth will also speak.

Branches can register their interest to attend HERE. Places are limited, but members who are unable to attend in person can partake in the seminar via the live stream. 

Watch the live stream HERE. 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Fórsa will soon launch a new book documenting the history of the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU).

Published by the Institute of Public Administration with Fórsa, ‘Fighting for the Clerical Grades’ A History of the Civil, Public and Services Union 1922-2017 charts the progress of the organisation representing civil service clerical grades, from its roots in the late nineteenth century, to its merger with IMPACT and the PSEU in the formation of Fórsa in 2018.

Researched and written by historian Martin Maguire it is an outstanding contribution to history of our public service unions and to Irish labour history generally and will prove essential reading for Union activists.

Branches and members looking to purchase a book should email cpsubook@forsa.ie for more information. 

More women are becoming active members of trade unions according to a new survey produced by University College Dublin (UCD).

The study, “Working in Ireland” looked specifically at the structure of union membership, members’, and non-members’ disposition towards unions, the perceived effectiveness of unions and the coverage of collective bargaining. The results were presented by Professor John Geary and Dr. Maria Belizón at a seminar in Fórsa offices last week.  

The data shows that although there has been a significant decline in union membership, down from 60% in the early 1980s to approximately 25% now, there are currently more women than men in trade unions. Some fifteen years ago there was little difference, but now 54% of union members are women while 46% are men. Professor Geary described the findings as ‘union membership increasingly becoming a female phenomenon.’

Interestingly, despite the decline in overall union density, trade unions have remained an important means of representing employees in Irish workplaces. Almost half of those working in non-union employments indicated that they would vote to establish a union in their workplace if possible.

Union membership is now concentrated primarily in the public sector (health, education, public administration and defence). Formerly highly unionised sectors such as manufacturing, construction and transport have struggled to maintain high levels of membership, while unions are struggling to get a foothold in modern sectors such as high-end tech and social media.

Union influence in the workplace was also examined. At least 50% of respondents believed unions exercise at least a moderate or a high level of influence on employers. The survey concluded that union influence is seen to be greatest in respect of employees’ terms and conditions of employment and the adoption of flexible working conditions.

Read the full report HERE.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has welcomed plans to ratify an international treaty aimed at eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace.

The International Labour Organisation Convention (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) aims to protect workers, irrespective of their contractual status – including interns, volunteers, job applicants, and individuals exercising the authority of an employer.

The treaty specifically highlights gender-based violence and harassment, and the impact of domestic violence on the world of work is also included. It applies to the public and private sectors, the formal and informal economy, and urban and rural areas.

In a submission to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, ICTU applauded the efforts within the Department to complete the ratification process before the end of 2022, and said it is ready to engage in whatever manner necessary to expedite this.

ICTU equality officer David Joyce said that one of the most important elements of the Convention is that it deals with the issue of domestic violence.

“This was a key demand of trade unions. Perpetrators of domestic violence can be colleagues, where the partners work for the same employer, and perpetrators can follow or stalk their partners at their workplace. We look forward to early ratification and stand ready to play our role in integrating this treaty into social dialogue and collective bargaining at national, sectoral and workplace level,” he said.

ICTU has long been part of a global campaign of unions working towards the ratification and implementation of this key ILO convention to tackle violence and harassment in the world of work.

“Violence and harassment at work, particularly gender-based violence, is a major problem in all parts of the world and in every sector. It destroys lives, denies women the chance to fulfil their potential and contributes to wider repression in society on the basis of people’s gender identity, ethnicity and social status. Everyone has the right to a world free from this,” said David.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa’s Global Solidarity Autumn School will take place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November in Nerney’s Court, Dublin.

The school will provide a unique opportunity for interested members to discuss a range of international, trade union and human rights issues.

Delegates will ahear about projects that Fórsa actively fund across the world, and it will also be an opportunity to hear about the union’s global solidarity work.

More information on the event can be found HERE and members can register their interest to attend HERE.