Local bargaining is a key feature of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, which is designed to address collective issues specific to a grade, group or category.

Fórsa has submitted several cross sectoral claims related to public service grades, associated with civil service grades. These claims cover members working in local authorities in grade 3 roles, or grade 4-7 roles. You can read more about those claims here and here. Claims continue to be submitted by other divisions of Fórsa.

A new claim has now been lodged on behalf of the local authority technician grades. While previous claims were lodged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, this claim has been lodged with the Local Government Management Authority (LGMA).

Members were consulted before the claim was developed, as has been the case for all local bargaining claims.

Head of division Richy Carrothers underlined the importance of members’ involvement saying: “For local bargaining to be effective, it’s essential that the claims reflect what members actually want. That’s why we have been consulting members extensively as part of this process.”

“The claim is important as many local authority technicians feel that employers have forgotten the critical role and function that they perform in the sector. We consulted widely on the construct of the claim, and this reflects the feelings and aspirations of those members who engaged in the survey process.”

“On a broader point, the division intends to engage with our technician members in the sector looking at career paths and professional development. Members will be at the centre of this work and will have a central role in ensuring that we fight and stand up for working across these grades.”

The claim encompasses:  Technicians 1, Technicians 2, Executive Technicians, Senior Executive Technicians, and Chief Technician. For each grade the claim calls for a reduction on the number of points of the scale, removal of waiting times for long service increments, and an increase in pay at the maximum point of each scale.

Underlining the need to move the process forwards, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “Local bargaining has the ability to address specific challenges and pay issues related to grades, groups and categories. We got it included in the agreement because we knew members needed a mechanism to address issues that have built up over time.” 

“It’s essential that we begin formal discussion soon as implementation of local bargaining claims must begin by the 1st of September. This process was part of the Public Service Agreement negotiated last year, and it must be honoured.” 

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