Fórsa has raised an issue with Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) about the widespread use of agency labour across different Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

A recent survey shows that many ETBs have been using agency labour for a considerable period of time. Almost all of the posts concerned are Clerical Officer jobs with staff employed on insecure contracts with inferior terms and conditions of employment to regularised public servants working in ETBs.

The employers were told this week that they are in breach of the national agreement which precludes employers from outsourcing jobs without going through an extensive consultation with the union, which has not happened.

This is a serious breach of the agreement, and we will be consulting members on an appropriate response early in the new year.