Head of Fórsa’s Local Government and Local Services division, Richy Carrothers, has criticised local authorities' management for an “unacceptable delay” with progressing local bargaining claims submitted last year. 

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the employers’ organisation for local authorities, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have yet to move forward with claims submitted on behalf of workers in local authorities.

Richy criticised their failure to progress claims “in a reasonable timeframe.” 

He said: “This delay is completely unacceptable. We submitted our claims in good faith, following consultation with members, who had a reasonable expectation that they would be dealt with in a timely fashion.” 

Frustration has been building amongst members as the delay sees them lagging behind similar grades in other parts of the public sector. 

Richy continued, saying: “Members are not happy about the delay. Their lives are getting more expensive as the cost-of-living crises escalates and what relief local bargaining would give is being denied to them.” 

Richy expressed his commitment to engaging with management and applying pressure to progress local bargaining claims in the local government sector, saying: “We will not tolerate a situation where they continue to frustrate and delay”. 

Local bargaining is a type of collective bargaining featured in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. It allows grades, groups or categories to negotiate claims up to 3% of overall payroll costs.  The first phase is effective from 1st September 2025, with a further second phase to be agreed as part of a new agreement.   

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