Fórsa has been in urgent contact with National Museum Ireland and the National Library of Ireland this afternoon (Thursday 12th March). This follows this morning’s Government announcement that the nation’s cultural institutions are to close from 6pm this evening as part of its response to the Covid-19 public health crisis.
The union has been told that National Museum Ireland will ask staff to work from home wherever possible.
Staff who cannot work at home will immediately be placed on special leave, which means that they will continue to be paid basic pay, including fixed allowances.
Staff who cannot work at home will immediately be placed on special leave, which means that they will continue to be paid basic pay, including fixed allowances.
Some front-of-house staff will be required to attend work on a roster basis in order to maintain security and other arrangements. And some members of the senior management team in areas like finance and HR will continue to attend work.
Fórsa is seeking similar arrangements in other cultural institutions where it has members. The union will post further information on the website as it emerges.