More than 3,000 incidents of physical or verbal assault on health staff have been reported so far this year. The latest figures emerged following a freedom of information (FoI) request by a broadcast journalist. The figures show a decrease in the number of verbal assaults reported so far in 2019 (669) compared to last year’s figure of 1,343.

Fórsa and health service employers met in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this week in a conciliation aimed at resolving a dispute over job losses and staffing levels in Drogheda hospitals. The row has seen administrative staff and health and social care professionals (HSCPs) in Louth County hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes hospital undertaking limited industrial action since late August.

The HSE has launched the pilot phase of a new scheme in the Western region aimed at preparing people in administrative grades V, VI and VII for career development.

An estimated four million people took part in the largest ever worldwide mobilisation for action on the climate crisis last Friday. The Irish organisers of the global climate strike said tens of thousands attended campaign events in more than 50 Irish cities and towns. These included large demonstrations in Dublin and Cork.

Matt Staunton became Fórsa’s new deputy general secretary when his appointment was ratified by the union's National Executive Committee (NEC) last month. The appointment followed a competition.

Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the Trade Union Congress – the British equivalent of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions – will be among the speakers at Fórsa’s first global solidarity conference, which takes place in Dublin on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th November.