Articles A
Pathway for school secretaries agreed
by Bernard Harbor
 

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is to facilitate detailed discussions on regularising the pay, conditions and pensions of school secretaries and caretakers after Fórsa and the Department of Education and Skills agreed a ‘roadmap’ to progress the changes.


The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is to facilitate detailed discussions on regularising the pay, conditions and pensions of school secretaries and caretakers after Fórsa and the Department of Education and Skills agreed a ‘roadmap’ to progress the changes.

 

The talks are expected to end a decades-old system, which leaves most school secretaries earning just €12,500 a year, with irregular short-term contracts that force them to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks.

 

Agreement on the roadmap was reached in the WRC last week, and followed recent commitments given in the Dáil confirming the intention of the Government to regularise the pay, conditions of employment and pension provision of school secretaries and caretakers.

 

Both sides have acknowledged that significant detailed discussions are required to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all stakeholders. These talks will now commence, with a view to reviewing progress next February 2021, if the discussions are not concluded at that point.

 

Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said all sides had agreed that the change in Government policy was welcome, he noted that this change was signalled by the Tánaiste having been set out in the election manifestos of both Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.

 

“This welcome change of heart gives us confidence that an end to the unjust two-tier pay system is now in sight. We had very positive exchanges today, with real progress made. We now look forward to getting into the detail, and a lot of work will be needed to complete the technical discussions on how the changes can be implemented to deliver public service status to all grant-paid secretaries and caretakers,” he said.

 

The newly-agreed framework will see three issues being dealt with sequentially. Pay scales, including the variations in pay across schools, will be addressed first. This is expected to be the most labour-intensive aspect of the process, which will then move on to explore working conditions and pensions. Other issues specific to the secretary and caretaker grades will also be addressed.

 

Fórsa represents more than 1,000 school secretaries in primary and secondary schools nationwide.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Union to source face masks for school staff
by Niall Shanahan and Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa is planning to provide face masks directly to its members working in schools where local management has failed to provide them.


Fórsa is planning to provide face masks directly to its members working in schools where local management has failed to provide them.

 

The union’s head of education, Andy Pike, said it was not Fórsa’s responsibility to provide SNAs secretaries and caretakers with PPE, but delays in a number of schools had forced the union’s hand.

 

“Given the serious situation with provision of PPE, Fórsa is developing plans to provide these masks directly to members who cannot access them in their own school. We have to do all we can to ensure members can work as safely as possible,” he said.

 

In a bulletin circulated to schools staff this week, Andy said the union was stepping up efforts to ensure every member who cannot maintain two metres of social distance has a basic medical face mask.

 

Last week, Fórsa and other unions representing school-based staff achieved significant, though insufficient, reassurances on measures to protect school students and staff in a recently-established forum involving representatives of the education department, the HSE, and its public health experts.

 

The union said that the HSE had agreed to review the use of face coverings for all age groups in primary schools, and to step up public health supports to schools, with a commitment that new regional public health teams would provide risk assessments within 24 hours if a school notified a case or suspected case of Covid-19.

 

The union’s head of education, Andy Pike, said a new awareness campaign, targeted at students and parents, was to be rolled out over the next few weeks. And the HSE has also agreed to a union request for improved weekly data on the number of Covid-19 tests conducted in schools, tests carried out on school-age children in the community, and adult cases detected in schools.

 

“We remain unhappy with the level of information staff have on potential cases. While we recognise that there are genuine confidentiality issues, Fórsa insists that the provision of information to protect health should have equal importance. We will be continuing discussions with the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills,” he said.

 

Andy said Fórsa and other unions would also continue to raise issues of social distancing and the need for adequate protection, including PPE, for high-risk staff.

 

He said the union had requested that lead worker safety representatives be consulted as part of the public health risk assessment.

 

“We are now meeting weekly with the HSE and education department. This is a step forward as we are now discussing these important issues directly with the public health experts and departmental officials. Some significant progress has been made over the last

week or so, but a number of understandable concerns voiced by SNAs, secretaries and caretakers, who returned to work this week, have yet to be adequately addressed,” he said.

 

He said Fórsa is advising all members who think there is a suspected Covid case in their class, or close working environment, to seek advice from their GP who can arrange testing free of charge: “If you are worried that the HSE risk assessment has not considered the risk to you personally, then please speak to your GP who will assess the situation and can refer you for testing if this is indicated,” he said.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

President’s call on school bullying
by Mehak Dugal
 

School-related violence is a “serious infringement” of the right to education, as well as young peoples’ basic rights to health and wellbeing, according to President Michael D Higgins.


School-related violence is a “serious infringement” of the right to education, as well as young peoples’ basic rights to health and wellbeing, according to President Michael D Higgins.

 

Speaking at a virtual event to mark the first ever international day against violence and bullying in schools yesterday (5th November), President Higgins called on everyone to play their part in ending child and youth violence.

 

A new report from the United Nations’ education and science organisation UNESCO found that one-in-three students had been bullied by their school peers at least once in the last month. The alarming report also says children who are bullied are nearly three times more likely to feel like an outsider at school, and more than twice as likely to miss school.

 

The international day against violence and bullying in schools was launched by UNESCO to raise awareness around the issue, and encourage swift action to stop the growing problem.

 

Speaking at an event hosted by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University, President Higgins called for strong leadership and public support to tackle bullying.

 

“It requires collaboration between all those involved. It will depend on the community, better teacher training, and improved school environments that will promote tolerance, inclusivity and equality.

 

“What is most important is acknowledging that we must address all the root causes of violence and promote a culture of respect for students’ rights and of zero tolerance to bullying and violence,” he said.

 

UNESCO says school bullying is an impediment to children’s and adolescents’ rights to education. And its research identified cyber-bullying as a growing cause for concern as children spend increasing amounts of time online.

 

It also says violence is perpetrated by teachers and other school staff in some cases. Corporal punishment is still allowed in schools in 67 countries.

 

It found that children who are bullied tend to have worse educational outcomes than their peers, and are more likely to leave formal education after finishing secondary school.

 

HEAR AND READ the President’s full speech HERE.

Time runs short on public service pay
by Niall Shanahan and Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa and other public service unions have warned that the time available to negotiate and ratify a new public service pay agreement is running short.


Fórsa and other public service unions have warned that the time available to negotiate and ratify a new public service pay agreement is running short. The current Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) expires on 31st December, but talks on a successor have not moved beyond an exploratory phase, in which the two parties seek to establish whether there is scope for substantial negotiations to produce a result.

 

The ICTU Public Services Committee (PSC), which is made up of most of Ireland’s public service unions, met two weeks ago to hear a report on talks between union leaders and senior officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).

 

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, who leads the union side, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress and said there was currently no basis for a full negotiation. This followed the cancellation of a scheduled meeting after DPER officials said they had yet to consult with public expenditure minister Michael McGrath.

 

Kevin said the delay was a concerning signal for all parties, including the Government.

 

“There is now a real possibility that we will find ourselves, perhaps unintentionally, without an agreement at the end of the year. That would create a very difficult industrial relations environment, which would be complicated further by the lingering Covid-19 crisis. I don’t believe that’s in anybody’s best interests,” he said.

Earlier, Kevin told Fórsa’s Consultative Council – made up of representatives from all the union’s branches – that, in the absence of a deal, Fórsa would prepare an alternative strategy and submit claims to employers when the PSSA expires.

He said negotiations for a new public service agreement would need to address specific austerity measures, include an acceptable approach to pay, and provide a clear path to resolving particular long-standing issues within public service grades, groups and categories, ensuring an ultimate resolution in each case.

He added that the reversal of additional working hours, introduced under the 2013 Haddington Road agreement as an alternative to an additional pay cut at the time, remained a priority issue for the union.


Speaking at the prestigious Industrial Relations News annual conference last week, Minister McGrath reiterated the Government’s desire to strike a deal, but said the economic backdrop to the talks was the most difficult imaginable.

 

The Programme for Government commits the coalition to negotiate a successor to the PSSA, which underpins pay and working conditions for staff across the civil and public service, including voluntary hospitals and other ‘section 38’ bodies. Public service pay agreements also cover non-commercial State agencies.

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Concern at numbers attending work
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa has raised concerns that more workers than necessary are being required to attend workplaces since the entire country entered level five of the Government’s Covid-19 framework two weeks ago.


Fórsa has raised concerns that more workers than necessary are being required to attend workplaces since the entire country entered level five of the Government’s Covid-19 framework two weeks ago.

 

Under the highest level of restrictions, which was introduced on 21st October for a six-week period, employees are meant to work from home unless they are providing essential services that require their physical presence in a workplace.

 

But the union says significantly more public servants were working from home at the outset of the coronavirus crisis in March, April and May than are now. This is partly because schools and crèches have remained open, though Fórsa says other services could be maintained with fewer staff going into workplaces.

 

A union spokesperson said there was a need for some to attend workplaces. “Very many, in health, social welfare and elsewhere, obviously need to go into work. Schools are now included in that, but we have concerns that, when it comes to remote working, some employers may not be placing the same emphasis on the imperative to control the spread of the virus as they did earlier in the year.

 

“We have raised this with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, saying that stronger central guidance may be required to reduce the number of staff travelling and attending workplaces without reducing levels of service to the public.”

 

Last week, the National Transport Authority expressed concern at the numbers of people still using public transport to go into work. Its chief executive, Anne Graham, said the return of schools was likely to add to pressures.

 

“NTA is asking people to avoid travelling at peak times and only to use public transport for essential purposes. Nobody wants to see a situation where essential workers, such as those on the healthcare frontline, cannot get on a bus. People who can work from home should work from home,” she said.

 

In a related move, Fórsa has also called on the Government to improve legal safety protections for essential public service workers in health, education, social protection, local authorities and elsewhere.

 

Through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Public Services Committee, the union said a lack of Health and Safety Authority (HSA) oversight was putting these workers at greater risk. Unions have called for a legal requirement for the agency to investigate Covid infections in the workplace, as recommended by the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Cost of remote working in frame
by Bernard Harbor and Hazel Gavigan
 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has renewed calls for legislation to oblige employers to pay remote workers an allowance to cover some of the costs of working from home. ICTU also wants a review of the current €3.20-a-day rate that workers can receive tax-free.


The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has renewed calls for legislation to oblige employers to pay remote workers an allowance to cover some of the costs of working from home. ICTU also wants a review of the current €3.20-a-day rate that workers can receive tax-free.

 

The call came after Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe extended tax relief for home workers’ utility expenses to include broadband, but fell short of announcing any other supports to facilitate remote working or assist those working from home.

 

Right now, home workers can claim tax relief on some heating and lighting costs if they don’t get a home working allowance from their employer. Workers can also claim tax relief on other vouched expenses incurred "wholly, exclusively and necessarily" when working at home.

 

Almost a half of respondents to a Fórsa members’ survey on remote working said that they incurred costs that they would not incur in work while working at home. The survey, which was conducted in July, drew responses from over 4,300 members.

 

Meanwhile, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) has updated its guidance on remote working on foot of a public consultation that took place during the summer. Its website now includes a remote working checklist for employers.

 

Tax and financial incentives were the single most-mentioned issue in submissions to the consultation, with many saying current tax allowances were inadequate and difficult to understand and claim.

 

The consultation attracted over 500 submissions including a detailed paper from Fórsa, in which the union made 20 recommendations. 

 

A number of submissions, including Fórsa’s, called for better health and safety protocols to cover work-related accidents in the home. Greater clarity over responsibility for provision of equipment and technology was also sought.

 

The department says the consultation will be used to inform a national strategy on remote work, with a cross-Government approach to facilitating and encouraging longer-term remote working in Ireland.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

 

Virtual conference good to go
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa’s delayed 2020 national delegate conference is set to take place on a fully remote basis on 19th November. Originally planned for last May, the event was interrupted by Covid-related public health restrictions on travel and assembly


Fórsa’s delayed 2020 national delegate conference is set to take place on a fully remote basis on 19th November. Originally planned for last May, the event was interrupted by Covid-related public health restrictions on travel and assembly.

 

The pandemic also means the size of the conference is restricted, with just one delegate from each branch. As always, their votes will be weighted to reflect the number of members in each branch. Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) are also entitled to attend and vote.

 

It’s intended to live stream the conference so that all members can see the proceedings if they want to.

 

On foot of continuing coronavirus-related public health restrictions on travel, public gatherings, and related matters, the NEC agreed in July that the conference should be organised on a remote basis. The results of postal ballots to elect the union’s president, treasurer and three vice-presidents will be ratified at the event.

 

The conference agenda has had to be pared-back as business will be conducted in one day instead of the usual three. Delegates will debate a small number of proposals, including NEC motions on pay and jobs, working time and remote work, and the country’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Delegates will also be asked to endorse reports on the union’s activities and finances over the two years since Fórsa was formed in early 2018, along with a report on organisational matters.

 

You can read all the reports and conference documents HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

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
New mental health tool
by Hazel Gavigan
 

The HSE has launched a free online mental health programme called ‘minding your wellbeing.’ It focuses on the promotion of mental wellbeing, and has been adapted from a face-to-face programme into a series of online videos.

 

The material has been produced to focus on various areas of mental health. The five 20-minute videos focus on self-care, understanding your thoughts, exploring emotions, building positive relationships and improving your resilience.

 

These themes encourage participants to build their own ‘self-care toolkit’, which include healthy habits for their mental health and wellbeing. The content also invites users to reflect on their own thinking and consider how thinking patterns can impact their wellbeing.

 

This course is available to everyone and provides a unique opportunity to learn and practice key elements of mental wellbeing such as mindfulness, gratitude, self-care and resilience.

 

For more information on the programme and to access the videos, click here.

 

For more information on minding your mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic, click here.

 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

 

 

Human rights need union support
by Hazel Gavigan
 

A webinar on trade unions’ role in promoting and protecting human rights and equality took place in late October.

  

The event was jointly hosted by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Fórsa general secretary and ICTU vice-president, Kevin Callinan opened the session by welcoming the opportunity for trade unions to reconnect with their own fundamental values.

 

"We, as trade unionists, are committed to human rights, equality and diversity. It is widely recognised that the workplace is a strategic entry point to free society from discrimination," he said.

 

Promoting and protecting human rights and equality: The potential of the public sector equality and human rights duty for trade unions,’ aimed to advance the rights of public sector workers and service users, while enhancing the quality of public policy and services.

 

The keynote address was delivered by UNISON general secretary, Dave Prentis.

 

Leader of the UK’s largest public service union began by acknowledging how important the public sector equality duty has been during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The right for every person to be treated with decency, dignity and equality is vital in a time of crisis,” he said.

 

Referencing a recent speech by President Michael D Higgins to an OECD conference, Dave highlighted his point that the State has the ability to play a leading, transformative role is providing quality and universal public services to its citizens.

 

President Higgins said governments could act decisively when the will is there. Mr Prentis said trade unionists should generate this will, which would ultimately create a better, fairer society.

 

“We have human rights and equality legislation to facilitate the creation of political will, which will ultimately enact transformative change for all,” he said.

 

Download the public sector human rights and equality duty here. 

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

Union guidance on remote working
 

Fórsa has published advice for workers who will be working remotely in the medium or long-term.

 

The guidance was produced as the Government’s recently-announced ‘roadmap for reopening society and business’, made it clear that many public servants and others will continue to work from home for some time.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the working circumstances of almost half of Ireland’s workers, with more than a third now working from home. This extended period of remote working is a new experience for most.

 

While some have now established a productive and rewarding remote working routine, it can be a struggle at times.

 

Working at home: Staying safe, connected, healthy and productive contains advice on health and safety, setting up a workspace, breaks, staying in touch with managers and colleagues, and balancing work with home life and childcare.

 

The guide also contains useful tips on data protection, cybersecurity, and safeguarding your mental health.


Róisín McKane of Fórsa’s Communications Unit drafted the guidance. “Many union members could be working remotely for longer than they ever expected. This information will help them to navigate home working for an extended period.

 

“You may be out of the workplace, but you can still rely on certain legal protections, and you should look to your employer for the supports you need to do your job safely and well,” she said.

 

Read the Fórsa guidance HERE. 

 

If you have questions or concerns about your own situation, you can contact Fórsa HERE

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

Update your contact details
 

You can help us keep you up-to-date with union information, news and advice by checking your contact details and amending them if necessary. If we have your home and personal contact details (personal email, mobile phone number, and home address) we can get information to you quickly and directly. You can update your contact details HERE.

Join Fórsa online
 

Workers who wish to join Fórsa can to do so using a new ‘join online’ function on the union’s website.

 

Going live with the new system follows several months of research, preparation and testing aimed at making it easier than ever to join the union. It also goes live as the union continues to process a large number of new membership applications, as interest in joining the union has surged since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Fórsa’s general secretary Kevin Callinan commented: “The current crisis has created the necessity to be able to carry out our business in different ways. Work on this project had commenced before the Covid-19 crisis took hold, and its completion marks a vital step as we tackle the challenges of living in changed times.

 

“We can see that more people want to join a union in response to what’s happening in the wider economy. It’s vital that they can take those initial steps quickly and easily, and making the membership application process more accessible is part of that process.

 

“This is a crucial new venture to enable Fórsa to substantially increase our membership - and to strengthen the union’s hand - at a critical time in the union’s development,” he said.

 

The online facility is a streamlined and simplified membership application process, and will be the quickest and easiest way to join the union. All incoming applications will continue to be subject to check-off and approval by Fórsa branches and the national executive committee, while the new online system is designed to ease the administrative burden on branches.

 

You can join Fórsa online at https://join.forsa.ie/

 

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.

Pension commission line-up disappoints
by Bernard Harbor
 

Pension campaigners have expressed disappointment at the composition of a new Pension Commission, saying its membership doesn’t reflect the interests of those most affected by a proposed increase in the age at which workers become eligible for the State pension.

 

The commission has been established by Government to review the issue. The programme for government said the pension age would be maintained at 66, pending the completion of the Commission's work. The previous Government had plans to increase the age of retirement to 67 next year, and to 68 in 2028.

 

The STOP67 coalition, which includes Siptu, the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), and organisations representing pensioners and older people, mounted an effective general election campaign against the proposed pension age increase to 67 from next January.

 

NWCI director Orla O’Connor said women experienced deep pension inequalities as they are more likely to be in low-paid jobs, and the value of their pensions is reduced when they spend time out of the workforce because of caring responsibilities.

 

“It is difficult [for them] to collect sufficient PRSI contributions to be eligible for the full State contributory pension and so they are more likely to be reliant on the non-contributory pension. Pension policy is absolutely crucial for women’s equality and has an enormous impact on women’s access to an independent income in old age,” she said.

 

SIPTU deputy general secretary Ethel Buckley welcome the invitation to ICTU to nominate a member to the commission. “However, the balance of its membership does not reflect the interests of those directly affected by the proposed increase in the pension age. Nor does it reflect the interests of those workers who rely entirely on the state pension for their retirement income,” she said.

 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.