Fórsa general secretary and president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Kevin Callinan, has said that the cost of living must continue to be the main focus for public service unions in pay talks this year.

Kevin chairs the ICTU’s Public Services Committee (PSC). He made the comments last week in his address to the INTO teachers’ conference in Killarney.

The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, expires at the end of 2023. Talks on a successor agreement are expected to take place in the coming months.

Kevin told INTO delegates that unions will concentrate on a number of key cost-of-living issues during expected pay talks, including the need to “make good the shortfall in pay against inflation” during the remaining term of the current pay agreement.

He said this would be in addition to factoring in the effect of the cessation of Government cost-of-living measures and supports, and in anticipation of cost-of-living projections over the period of any proposed agreement.

He said unions were clear that last year’s Building Momentum review didn't fully compensate for the rate of inflation, which averaged 8% over 2022.

He added: “When workers were weighing up the terms, they were mindful of government statements of intent to introduce various measures, including budgetary tax changes.

“We’ve already made it clear to government and employers, if these supports are withdrawn and if prices remain elevated - as they surely will - the shortfall will have to be made good in wage bargaining across the economy.”

Greedflation

Kevin said the relatively recent advent of inflation has led the European Central Bank (ECB) to identify excessive company profits as a bigger driver of inflation than wage demand.

He added: “Many commentators are quick to try to dampen down wage demands with talk of a wage-price spiral. Working people can see through those arguments, particularly when they are exposed to obvious price-gouging.

“To be clear, there can be no sustainable case for wage moderation while inflation continues to be driven by excessive company profits, neither in the public or private sector,” he said.

Public service employment

Kevin said recent growth in public sector employment is “merely a recovery of ground lost as a direct result of the 2008 financial crash”, adding that public service capacity shrank during the austerity years, while a growing population continued to place a demand on services.

He added: “The growth of public service employment is not keeping the required pace. It has increased by barely more than half the rate of population growth in the Republic,” and said even moderate predictions of population growth anticipates an increase to 5.4 million people by 2036.

Kevin said that, at roughly 7%, Ireland's public service employment, as a percentage of total population, looks “completely out of step with most of our EU partners.”

He said an appropriate comparison in this context was with Denmark, where public service employment is closer to 13%, while in Croatia the figure is 8.5%.

He said poorly resourced public services and inadequate infrastructure is holding back the potential of the Irish economy, in addition to “causing real hardship for many who can't access housing, essential healthcare or affordable childcare.”

Commenting on the recent upsurge in anti-immigrant commentary, he said: “Effective social dialogue can counter that kind of populism. It can help to replace short-term thinking with long-term planning, designed to meet the multiple challenges of our times and allowing the country to move forward more united, provided that the social dialogue is based on adequate levels of social protection, collective bargaining as the norm, and quality public services,” he said.

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

The three unions representing staff working in community and voluntary health and care services funded by the HSE – Fórsa, the INMO and SIPTU – attended the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Monday (17^th April).

The WRC meeting marked the commencement of conciliation talks on the long-standing problem of pay terms for staff working in state-funded agencies in Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations.

Last month the unions confirmed they had served fresh pay claims on a number of employers in the sector.

In correspondence to members issued on Monday, Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said unions had outlined that the vast majority of workers in the organisations had not received a pay increase in many years: “They have fallen significantly behind the pay of workers in comparator employments.

“We further argued that arrangements for pay progression that had been historically in place should be restored,” she said.

Ashley added that management asked for time to fully cost the unions’ claim and to prepare a detailed response.

A further conciliation conference has been arranged for Monday 15^th May.

While funded by the State, employees working in a range of health professional, clinical, clerical and administrative grades are employed on lesser terms and conditions than their HSE counterparts.

Ashley said the unions continue to work together on the issue, and remain determined to secure a sustainable solution to the pay disparities for specialist staff in the sector: “We simply won’t accept anything less than a meaningful engagement and to focus on finding a solution to this longstanding problem,” she said.

Until 2008, workers in these agencies received pay increases under national wage agreements.

At the onset of the financial crisis they were subject to FEMPI pay cuts in line with the same cuts applied to public sector pay.

Unions eventually won limited pay restoration measures in 2019, but pay in these agencies remains significantly behind, and no formal mechanism for collective pay bargaining exists for workers in the sector.

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

Fórsa’s health and welfare division is set to hold an extraordinary divisional council meeting later this month to discuss items of significant importance on the divisional agenda.

Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said the Divisional Executive Committee (DEC) took the decision to call the extraordinary meeting to discuss recruitment practices within the clerical administrative structure and the breach of collective agreements, and the career pathway review, specifically.

“Our members will be aware of the ongoing engagement with management to address our concerns relating to the continued breach of collective agreements on the recruitment of clerical administrative grades and the failure of the employer to implement the full terms of the career pathway review. This was discussed at our DEC meeting on the 5th April, and on foot of this the decision was made to call an extraordinary divisional meeting,” she explained.

The meeting will take place on Thursday 27th April and the agenda will solely address these issues.

“We know these issues are important to our members and the division is acting to progress them,” said Ashley.

Fórsa has said it is ‘continuing to see breeches on a daily basis’ on the use of recruitment agencies to fill positions within the Clerical Admin arena of the health body.

The union said despite previous confirmation that the practice of using recruitment agencies to fill positions within the Clerical Admin area will be ceasing immediately, save in circumstances where there is agreement with Fórsa officials, once all other options have been exhausted and an urgent and approved need arises, it continued to receive daily reports of the ongoing practice.

The matter is due to be discussed further at the extraordinary divisional council meeting later this month.

Following Fórsa’s previous intervention regarding staff recruited as agency personnel and without any recognition of collective agreements, the union met with the National Director of HR and Assistant National Director for Employee Relations at the HSE earlier this month, to discuss its concerns regarding the matter earlier this month.

The HSE had confirmed its commitment to direct employment for non-entry grade posts, up to Grade VII, to the Health Family in the first instance, except on foot of an agreed derogation between the HSE and Fórsa.

A derogation process in instances where it has not possible to fill posts internally was in practice.

In addition, the advertisements contain terms such as hourly rates, salaries negotiable, and other concerning details which were in direct breach of collective agreements.

Fórsa and the HSE have been engaged in a ‘recruitment and reform’ project since the August 2022. Fórsa maintains that recruitment to the HSE is a core function of staff within the HSE.

However, the union had become concerned by its recent discovery of an increase in the number of external recruitment agencies that appeared to be operating, without agreement, in what appeared to be partnership with the HSE.

In a letter to the HSE’s director of human resources, national secretary Ashley Connolly questioned the HSE adherence to agreed recruitment practices and highlighted the number of breaches that have been brought to her attention over the last few weeks.

Ashley said most of the recruitment notices appeared to indicate that the positions will be filled by agency workers, and that successful candidates will not be directly employed by the HSE, which she said was a ‘complete breach’ of existing agreements.

Fórsa members at the Louth County Group of hospitals have served notice of a one-day industrial action, due to take place on Tuesday 9th May.

The notice of industrial action, served to hospital management on Wednesday (19th April), follows a ballot concluded last month in an ongoing dispute about staff shortages, and hospital management’s failure to recruit urgently needed staff.

Fórsa members at the group of hospitals, comprising health and social care professionals (‘HSCPs’), clerical and administrative grades, backed the action by a margin of 98.4%, securing a mandate to engage in industrial action, up to and including strike action.

As of 9am on Tuesday 9th May Fórsa clerical administrative grade members will, as an act of industrial action, will suspend the provision on information on financial reports, daily emergency department statistics, delayed discharge statistics and HIPE data export.

HSCP members will take part in the industrial actions including non-answering of phones, referrals only between the hours of 09:00 and 14:00, while patients will be prioritised based on clinical need.

Assistant general secretary Lynn Coffey informed management that continued failure to address the issues in dispute would mean an escalation of industrial actions, due to commence on 22nd May.

Lynn served the notice of industrial action, noting there had been no response to Fórsa’s correspondence issued to management at the end of March, despite commitments by management to provide written communication on proposed recruitment measures.

She said that, in the absence of any information, and due to continuing pressure on staff, the union had no choice but to serve notice of industrial action across the group, comprised of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and the Cottage hospital in Drogheda, and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.

Lynn added: “This action has become necessary because Fórsa members are working in unsafe environments as a direct consequence of management inaction.

“Demand for services continue to increase, while staff shortages place incredible pressure on staff. It can’t go on. Fórsa has continued to raise the issue of declining numbers in these grades and professions since summer 2022.

“Management has failed to replenish exiting staff, seem happy to leave posts vacant and have ignored requests for additional staff made on a business needs basis from teams within the hospital group and Fórsa.

"Recruitment drives for other medical professions across the hospitals have delivered good and solid results. New clinical staff need support from Fórsa grades.

“Fórsa members have continued to work within teams and departments experiencing staff shortages, working through breaks, covering vacant posts, and extending their working hours in order to meet the demands of service. The system is stretched too thin,” she said.

Fórsa is inviting hospital pharmacy technicians to take part in a short survey evaluating their experience in their role.

Fórsa, in collaboration with the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT), is currently preparing a position paper arguing in favour of statutory regulation for hospital pharmacy technicians in the Republic of Ireland.

Regulation will provide Hospital Pharmacy Technicians with better protections for their role, a consistent standard for education and training, and align practise codes for patient safety with that of Pharmacists.

The survey sets out to provide members and potential members with an opportunity to provide input into the position paper by sharing their experience in the role.

Information collected from the survey will be anonymised unless otherwise stated and will be aggregated and used to outline the attitudes and opinions of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians.

Members can complete the survey HERE.

The survey will run until Monday 24th April at 1pm and you are welcome to share it widely with colleagues.

If you have any questions in relation to this survey, please contact Juliette Cooper.

Fórsa’s largest membership survey is currently underway, and we’re encouraging you to have your say.

Ahead of negotiations throughout 2023, we want to know more about the issues that matter most to you and your co-workers.

Fórsa is anticipating pay talks with Government in the coming months and while these will relate largely to civil and public servants, there will also be pay bargaining in other sectors where we represent members.

We also anticipate that a general election will be held within the next two years and we’re taking this opportunity to seek your views so we can influence the policies of political parties on the issues that matter most to Fórsa members.

Fórsa is not affiliated to any political party and does not support any party or candidates in elections. Your opinions will guide us in this important work.

The confidential survey is being conducted by Amárach Research on behalf of Fórsa and is entirely voluntary.

Aggregated responses will be used in our work to negotiate on your behalf, and influence Government policy.

You can access the survey here, but be advised that only Fórsa members are invited to respond.

Please encourage your co-workers to join today.

The third Lunch and Learn will take place on Friday, 28th April, from 1-2pm focusing on Menstrual and Menopausal Health at work.

This will be delivered by Paula Byrne, from Apple blossom holistic.

Paula is a holistic wellness educator who is dedicated to helping others to enhance their wellbeing. She is the creator of The Mindful Cycle, a holistic and mindful approach to menstrual literacy and wellness.

The Mindful Cycle inspires a world where conversations about periods and the menstrual cycle are normal, the menstrual cycle is understood by all and people with periods can mindfully embody their unique inner rhythm.

It is changing lives through the development of holistic habits and sustainable skills for life.

You can sign up to attend the one-hour session HERE.

If you have any questions about any aspect of the application process, please contact Judith directly on 021 4255221 or email here.

Fórsa members across the country took part in a union led coffee morning yesterday, to celebrate the work of administrative professionals and recognise their enormous contribution to the workplace.

In a message to members Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan acknowledged the significant impact administration professionals make to the lives of others.

“In Fórsa, we recognise that administrative staff are the backbone of their organisations. In many cases administrative staff are the first point of contact where they work and play a hugely important role in the success of their teams and organisations,” he said.

Branches across all Fórsa divisions took part and hosted the nationwide event.

The One Wexford Trade Union Centre opened its doors earlier this month, bringing Fórsa, Siptu and Connect together under the one roof.

The Congress-backed program is supported by the Wexford Council of Trade Unions and sets out to strengthen trade union awareness, build links between unions and communities, and enhance unions' local engagement in the Wexford area.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan helped to launch the centre, formed on the pillars of one movement, one approach, one vision.

Fórsa activist and secretary to the Wexford Council of Trade Unions Kate Miskella said that ONE Wexford was built on the successful model established by the ONE Cork and ONE Galway initiatives.

“This is about working collectively in our workplaces and communities to improve living and working conditions and achieve significant gains for all workers through greater trade union participation,” she said.

Applications are now open for the 2023 Fórsa Gaeltacht grant scheme, which will make 80 grants of €150 each available to assist children of Fórsa members attending residential Irish language courses in Gaeltacht areas this summer.

A further 40 grants of €70 are available to assist children to attend day-only Irish language courses held outside Gaeltacht areas.

Children of Fórsa members, who are aged between 11 years and 18 years of age on 1st July 2022, are eligible to apply for the grant scheme. You can download the application form HERE.

Please download the form to a folder on your device prior to filling it out.

If you cannot use the fillable form online please print the form, complete it in black pen and return it to:

General Services Committee,

Gaeltacht Scheme,

Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1,

D01 R2C5.

It should arrive before 5.30 PM on Thursday 1^st June 2023.

All queries and applications should be sent to this email address.

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

Fórsa members can now save 50% on their AA Roadside Rescue plan, through a new and exclusive union negotiated scheme.

This new AA Roadside Rescue offer provides for 24/7 roadside breakdown assistance in Ireland and the UK for just €6 a month, and will provide cover whether driving or as a passenger.

This new offer can be accessed exclusively through this portal.

Contact the AA here for more information.