Fórsa and IALPA are continuing their engagement with the new contractor for the Irish Search and Rescue (SAR) service, Bristow Ireland, following the recent mediation process which resulted in outgoing contractor, CHC, withdrawing its High Court legal proceedings against Bristow.

Under the terms of the exclusive recognition agreement secured late last year, Fórsa represents technical crew (winch operators/winchmen), while IALPA, a branch of Fórsa, represents the SAR pilots.

The transition of SAR management from CHC to Bristow continues. In a joint statement earlier this week, the two firms announced they had secured agreement “for the safe and seamless transition of search and rescue staff” starting with the forthcoming transition of the Shannon base and crew at the end of October.

Commenting on the development, Fórsa official Katie Morgan said: “We welcome the news that the parties are committed to a seamless transition, it has been a difficult period of uncertainty for our SAR members, and this is a positive step forward in the transfer of the service. Our priority has always been to achieve a seamless transition for our SAR members.” 

Union engagement continued this week, while the joint statement by Bristow and CHC confirmed an agreement that “secures ongoing protection of those actively claiming under CHC’s Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) policy and an agreement which finalises any outstanding liability of pilots bonded to CHC.” 

The statement also confirmed agreement enabling certain CHC managers stay in post until the end of the CHC contract, in order to fulfil its mandatory IAA regulated roles up until the last base transfers in June 2025. 

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