All parties to the pay agreement negotiated earlier this year for workers in the community and voluntary sector met at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this week. Following the engagement the funding agencies confirmed that funding arrangements have begun, and that funds should all be allocated by the end of September.  

For funding to be released employers must submit relevant information to the funding agencies, who will assess and validate the information.   

Under the terms of the agreement Fórsa members working in Section 10, 39, 40 and 56 organisations should benefit from pay increases valued at 9.25% over two years, backdated to October 2024 and running to October 2026.  

The agreement was secured by unions after more than ten years of campaigning for better pay and conditions for workers in the community and voluntary sector.  However, delays in implementing the agreement have occurred in recent months.  

Fórsa’s head of health and welfare Ashley Connolly said: “The engagement this week has been positive, with all parties committing that the relevant information will now be provided in a timely manner. The current situation of ongoing delays is very frustrating for our members who, quite naturally, are impatient to see the pay increases promised in the deal.”  

“We asked the WRC to reconvene to address these delays and we are pleased with the outcome of this week’s meeting.”  

“The employers’ groups present committed that payments will be processed as soon as possible after the funds are received. This is what will make the difference in members pay packets.” 

Ashley continued: “An implementation and monitoring group was established as part of the agreement, and its first meeting will take place on 7th August. We are hopeful that this will enable the allocation of funds to take place swiftly.”  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.