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Fórsa backs nursing home mobilisation
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa has pledged to cooperate fully with HSE plans to deploy public health workers in private nursing homes on a voluntary basis, after gaining important staff protections in an agreement reached with unions earlier this week.

 


Fórsa has pledged to cooperate fully with HSE plans to deploy public health workers in private nursing homes on a voluntary basis, after gaining important staff protections in an agreement reached with unions earlier this week.

 

The move comes as nursing homes struggle to manage. More than 200 coronavirus clusters – situations where three or more people contract the virus – have occurred in nursing homes and other residential facilities, where over 240 people have died after contracting Covid-19.

 

The agreement between the HSE and health service unions is a departure from emergency procedures adopted by public service employers during the crisis.

 

Until now, they have implemented emergency measures without seeking agreement. But constant liaison with Fórsa and other unions has led to important modifications of all the major initiatives now in place, including those on occupational health, self-isolation, and overtime and premium pay.

 

When the HSE said it wanted a formal agreement to cover voluntary reassignments to the private residential care sector, Fórsa insisted on specific protections.

 

In particular, the union insisted that staff could only be deployed to tasks for which they are trained and qualified, and which are “within the scope of practise”. This means, for example, that health and social care professionals can’t be deployed as health care assistants.

 

The protections also cover the provision of personal protection equipment (PPE). Last week Fórsa insisted that staff have access to PPE and training in its use and disposal – and issued new advice to staff working in environments with a higher risk of contact with the virus.

 

Other protections in the agreement cover pay protections, conditions of employment, and the mechanism for deploying public servants to private nursing homes.

 

Fórsa’s head of health Éamonn Donnelly introduced a note of caution over the agreement.

 

“These are far from normal times and our regular ways of doing business have in reality, been set aside. The Government has to move to protect vulnerable communities in nursing homes, and this simply can’t be done without the necessary staffing. If this agreement produces insufficient numbers of volunteers, the unions will be back at the table very quickly,” he said.

 

Éamonn said health workers had shown courage and a willingness to adapt, even in situations where they are exposed to risk. “I’m incredibly proud of our health workers, who understand that preventing the spread of disease and treating the sick and vulnerable come first. Their response in this crisis has been inspirational,” he said.

 

Read the full agreement HERE. 

Pregnant staff to be protected
by Bernard Harbor
 

The HSE has conceded that pregnant health workers should not be rostered to Covid-specific units or wards, and should instead be redeployed to lower-risk duties.


The HSE has conceded that pregnant health workers should not be rostered to Covid-specific units or wards, and should instead be redeployed to lower-risk duties.

 

In new guidance published this week it says pregnant health staff should “should be allocated to patients, and duties, that have reduced exposure to patients with, or suspected to have, Covid-19 infection.”

 

Although the HSE’s guidance has changed a number of times during the crisis, Fórsa has consistently advised pregnant workers with concerns to get medical advice before attending work.

 

The new HSE guidance also lists a range of serious medical conditions and advises ‘vulnerable health care workers’ who have them not to go to work.

 

But it says workers with other medically managed pre-existing diseases “are unlikely to be at greater risk of acquiring Covid-19 virus infection” if they wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

“These can continue to work unless there is a specific recommendation from their treating specialist,” it says.

 

Read the new HSE guidance HERE.

 

Read Fórsa’s advice to workers in higher-risk environments HERE.

Childcare help demanded
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has again approached the HSE seeking childcare support for essential health care staff. The union has been looking for this since schools and creches were closed in response to the coronavirus last month.


Fórsa has again approached the HSE seeking childcare support for essential health care staff. The union has been looking for this since schools and creches were closed in response to the coronavirus last month.

 

In a letter to the HSE’s employee relations service this week, Fórsa and other health unions said the HSE should cover childcare costs for essential health workers or the pay salaries of those who can’t attend work because of childcare responsibilities.

 

The union has raised the issue on a daily basis with the HSE, the health department and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) since schools and crèches closed on 12th March, and was previously informed that two departments – children and youth affairs and the Department of the Taoiseach – were working on proposals.

 

But there has been no announcement or confirmation of any measures.

 

Childcare arrangements for health staff was one of the first things the union sought to clarify with the HSE and the Government, but there still has not been an outcome or a firm response, weeks into the emergency.

 

The union says it’s imperative that this matter is resolved, particularly for single parents and household where both adults are essential workers.

Fórsa plans for future challenges
by Bernard Harbor
 

Governments across Europe must shun austerity and take an imaginative approach to the huge fiscal and economic challenges that the coronavirus has unleashed, according to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.


Governments across Europe must shun austerity and take an imaginative approach to the huge fiscal and economic challenges that the coronavirus has unleashed, according to Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.

 

Kevin has established a team to work with other unions and progressive organisations to build support for alternative post-Covid recovery proposals that avoid the mistakes made on foot of the 2008-2010 banking crisis.

 

“We will need a credible plan that offers hope for the future, while commanding sufficient popular and political support,” he said.

 

The move came as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) added its weight to predictions of the worst global downturn since the 1930s. In its latest world economic outlook report, the Washington-based organisation says the Eurozone is in line for a 7.5% contraction, while the global economy will shrink by 3% this year.

 

Callinan said the EU and its member states must acknowledge the scale of the crisis and step up with a bold and imaginative response. “Once the health crisis abates enough for us to properly assess the economic damage, the priority will be to kick-start our economies and maintain living standards, not to pay back debt.

 

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen what can be achieved when the State mobilises financial, organisational and human resources for the common good, when people work together collectively, and when citizens have equal access to essential goods and services. The next challenge will be to embed these principles into our economic, social and business model on the other side of the emergency,” he said.

 

Kevin said the deal hammered out by EU finance ministers last week was totally inadequate to the scale of the challenges. “The distinction they made, between debt directly associated with the virus and debt that isn’t, may look like fancy footwork today, but it will seem laughable when the full cost of economic recovery emerges,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Union’s next seven-year budget should be a ‘Marshall Plan’ capable of rebooting the European economy in a similar way to the approach adopted after the Second World War.

 

She warned EU countries to put aside entrenched positions on foot of last week’s testy discussions between EU finance ministers.

 

In a shift from past practice, Ireland added its name to a nine-nation call for EU states to share debt incurred on foot of the Covid-induced economic shut-down.

 

But the idea is opposed by countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, and Austria, where there are concerns about becoming liable for the debt of struggling economies.

Not all heroes wear capes
by Niall Shanahan
 

Fórsa’s social media campaign to highlight the work of members who are part of the coordinated effort to address the Covid-19 crisis continues this week.


Fórsa’s social media campaign to highlight the work of members who are part of the coordinated effort to address the Covid-19 crisis continues this week.

 

Hidden Heroes focuses on individual Fórsa members, their grade and current programme of work, illustrating the wide variety of skills and duties necessary to address the current health crisis.

 

This week we featured physiotherapist Mary Kelly, hospital quality and safety specialist Paul Cully, surveillance scientist Benvon Deasy and Paul Byrne who works in communications with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

 

Fórsa lead organiser Kevin Donoghue is conducting a series of short interviews with members for the campaign. “We wanted to celebrate the diverse community of Fórsa members mobilising to fight the virus.

 

“Fórsa is unique in that we represent people in so many different grades and sectors involved in the Covid-19 response.

 

“There is an understandable tendency to think only of doctors, nurses and other medical staff, those we describe as ‘frontline’ workers in this context. They’re doing incredible work and it’s great to see their message - that all of us have individual responsibilities to stop the spread of Covid-19 – getting such a positive response nationwide.

 

“Our campaign is designed to complement that effort and that message. To show that those frontline workers aren’t alone, that there is a huge community of workers performing vital tasks, working in different ways and in different contexts to how they would usually work, and that each one of them is helping to make a difference,” he said.

 

Kevin is continuing to talk to members in local government, civil service, education, health and other sectors about their current programme of work in response to Covid-19. If you would like to take part in the campaign, please get in touch via the links below.

 

Retail and transport

While celebrating our own members involved in responding to the Covid-19 crisis, the union is mindful of other workers whose work has continued to make life more comfortable for all of us during these difficult times.

 

Retail workers and public transport staff continue to ensure that life can continue on as normally as possible, and deserve the nation’s gratitude.

 

We need to remember that in the course of their work they face a lot more exposure to the risk of infection than most of us. They need our protection as well as our gratitude, which is why it’s vitally important for us all to follow the rules on staying at home, social distancing and sticking with the HSE guidelines on keeping our communities safe.

 

Laura’s story

We were also struck by Laura Douglas’s story posted on social media this week. Laura is a speech and language therapist (SLT), originally from Donegal, and she shared her experience of arranging a video call between a patient with Covid-19 and his daughter before he passed away. Laura posted: “Of all the work I’ve done as an SLT recently, I feel a simple act of facilitating communication was the most worthwhile.”

 

Get involved – tell us your story

Tell us about your Covid-19 work for the Hidden Heroes campaign. Have you been reassigned? Are you working remotely? Please get in touch.

 

Contact Kevin Donoghue HERE or Niall Shanahan HERE with your contact details.

 

Feature Article
Fórsa’s free counselling helpline here for you

Fórsa’s range of support helplines remains in action during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Our free 24-7 phone lines provide confidential counselling (1850-776655) and legal advice (1850-77-66-44), including free legal help in bodily injury cases. And you can contact the union directly HERE if you have a work-related problem.


Also in this issue
Covid-19: Advice to Fórsa members
 

Fórsa has again updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for health workers and staff in the wider public service. The advice covers attendance at work (including for pregnant workers and those with health vulnerabilities), salary protections for those self-isolating, temporary staff transfers, childcare and more. Read it HERE.

HSA remit should be expanded
by Róisín McKane
 

Fórsa has thrown its weight behind an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) call to extend the powers of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to encompass all health and safety issues related to Covid-19.

 

The move follows an initiative from the general secretary of the craft union Connect. Last week, Paddy Kavanagh sought clearer procedures for dealing with complaints about social distancing guidelines, as well as other Covid-19 workplace issues including hygiene practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

Mr Kavanagh urged the Government to indicate “which body is responsible” for such complaints, adding that it should be fully resourced for the task.

 

The head of Fórsa’s Services and Enterprises division, Angela Kirk, welcomed ICTU’s call. “Fórsa is supportive of the development and extension of the role of the HSA during this Covid crisis,” she said.

 

“Our members are frontline workers, and they are key to ensuring the health and safety of workers across the economy. We support a broadening of the remit of the HSA to ensure that all available safety measures are adhered to in the midst of this pandemic.

 

“As we see restrictions lift, and workplaces return to a new normal, we would see a bigger role for the HSA, with our inspectors safeguarding the ongoing welfare of workers in a post-Covid world,” she added.

 

The Department of An Taoiseach has confirmed that the HSA, in conjunction with the HSE, is developing guidance for employers and employees.

 

To view the HSA’s current guidelines for employers click HERE.

Fórsa: Here to support you
 

Fórsa is here to protect you if you have problems arising from the coronavirus or other workplace issues. The best way to contact the union at this time is HERE.

 

We will deal with queries as quickly as we can but, needless to say, the union will prioritise cases where members’ jobs and incomes are at immediate risk – as well as any serious health and safety issues that may arise.

 

Fórsa has cancelled all face-to-face meetings for the time being. The union is redeploying its staff to prioritise engagement with management on proposals arising from the Covid-19 public health crisis, and to provide rapid and efficient responses to members’ queries and concerns.

 

Fórsa's main phone line (01 817 1500) is now open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively members can use the Contact Us page on the Fórsa website to submit queries directly to the relevant division within Fórsa and this remains the most efficient way to access advice directly.

 

Wherever possible, Fórsa staff have been equipped to work remotely. Therefore, members should not attend Fórsa offices at this time. If you have a query or concern, the best way to raise it is to contact the union HERE.

Updating your contact details
 

Fórsa is keen to ensure that all our members contact details are up to date.

 

By maintaining your current contact details we can ensure that up-to-the-minute, important information can be delivered directly to each and every member of the union.

 

This is especially important during the current national Covid-19 crisis. In the past few days we’ve been able to issue a series of special bulletins to members, keeping them in touch with the latest advice and guidelines from the HSE and employers.

 

However, if any member isn’t receiving this information, it means we don’t have a current email address for them on our system. This could be because they’ve moved departments or changed grades or employment etc.

 

If this sounds like the experience of one of your colleagues, please share this information with them and let them know we’re encouraging members to update their contact details with us in order to improve our communications service to members.

 

The union is also experiencing a high volume of members getting in touch with the communications unit directly to change their contact details as a result of new eircom policy taking effect later this month. Those members wishing to change the email address Fórsa contacts them on should also follow the directions outlined below.

 

It's also worth noting your home email address helps to ensure direct, safe and more effective communications with you than a workplace email address.

 

To update contact details, visit our website HERE and follow the directions to quickly update them.

Lyra McKee anniversary to be marked
by Bernard Harbor
 

Trade unionists will mark the first anniversary of the killing of journalist and NUJ member Lyra McKee with virtual commemorations at 11am tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

 

The NUJ is asking people to take part in a symbolic virtual commemoration, using social media to highlight the shared values that Lyra embraced under the banner #WeStandWithLyra. Media workers will share examples of Lyra's journalism, plus tributes, memories and pictures.

 

Lyra was fatally shot by dissident republicans while covering rioting in Derry a year on 18th April 2019.

 

The NUJ’s Irish secretary, Séamus Dooley said Lyra had effectively used social media in her work. “We will be celebrating Lyra’s legacy of hope and optimism tomorrow. Her partner and family will be in our thoughts. Her positive spirit serves as an inspiration in these dark days,” he said.