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Fórsa pressing for safe return to workplaces
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa has won confirmation that civil and public service employers must abide by an agreed protocol governing the safety of staff returning to workplaces as coronavirus restrictions ease.


Fórsa has won confirmation that civil and public service employers must abide by an agreed protocol governing the safety of staff returning to workplaces as coronavirus restrictions ease.


In a meeting with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) last week, the union also insisted that an agreed ‘Return to Work Safety Protocol’ must apply equally to employees who have remained in their workplace throughout the lockdown.


Its general secretary Kevin Callinan dismissed as “nonsense” suggestions from some employers that such workers could experience weaker safeguards.


Last week, Fórsa published detailed guidance for members who are returning to work. It addresses measures set out in the Government’s plan for a gradual reopening of the country, plus the agreed safety protocol.

 

The protocol outlines the steps that employers and workers must take to ensure a safe workplace as staff return when coronavirus-related restrictions are relaxed in the coming weeks and months.

 

It was recently agreed between the Government, unions, and employer representatives through a tripartite body called the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan is one of four union reps on the LEEF.

 

Kevin also wrote to Fórsa branches this week to advise them on engaging with local management to ensure that adequate preparations are made before the return to work, which is expected to unfold over a number of months, with many workers continuing to work remotely for some time.


The safety protocol requires employers to implement a number of measures in advance of staff returning to workplaces. They include:

• Appointing Covid-19 workplace representatives
• Implementing a Covid-19 response plan
• Preparing information for staff
• Making physical changes to underpin social distancing
• Sending ‘self-declaration’ forms to staff before they return
• Preparing staff training
• Cleaning and sanitising premises, and
• Assessing the need for personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

Fórsa officials are now in detailed negotiations with employers on the application of the safeguards in specific sectors and workplaces across the economy. Discussions are well advanced with local authority employers, including on the reopening of libraries, which is due to commence on 8th June.


The union has also sent detailed comments on safety measures required in schools to education employers.


Its health officials have raised the need to apply the protocols in settings that have remained open throughout the crisis, while exploring the scope for increased remote working now that the Covid-19 health crisis has peaked.


Discussions are also underway in civil service departments and non-commercial semi-state organisations.


Read the Fórsa advice HERE.

 

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

Leaders call for continued Covid vigilance
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa national officials have called on the union’s members to continue to observe measures aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus, as the first relaxation of restrictions were introduced this week.


Fórsa national officials have called on the union’s members to continue to observe measures aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

 

The appeal came as the first relaxation of restrictions on travel, work, sport and leisure activities were introduced this week, leading to fears of a lapse in public vigilance.


The head of the Fórsa’s health division, Éamonn Donnelly, said his members were depending on the public to stay solid and follow Government advice on travel, social distancing and other measures necessary to contain the pandemic.


“Health workers make up over 30% of confirmed coronavirus cases, and a large number of them are in grades represented by Fórsa. A significant number of health staff have suffered serious illness, and some have died.


“Most of us have been cooped-up for weeks, and I know it’s frustrating. But I appeal to members to keep following official guidelines to protect our friends and families, and the many essential workers who have put themselves at risk in the service of their communities,” he said.


Fórsa official Paul MacSweeney, who represents staff in social welfare offices, echoed the appeal.

 

“A number of workers on the frontline of efforts to support those who’ve lost their jobs have fallen victim the virus. We owe it to them – and the thousands of private and public sector workers who’ve continued to go to work – to keep the effort up,” he said.


The head of the union’s Municipal Employees division Peter Nolan added his voice. “A large number of Dublin fire fighters have contracted Covid-19 in the course of their work. Thousands of other local authority workers have been delivering essential services, which often means putting themselves at risk,” he said.


Get the latest HSE advice on protecting yourself and others HERE.

 

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

Women more likely to prefer workplace base
by Mehak Dugal
 

The Covid-19 crisis has had a worse effect on women’s lives than men’s, according to data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week.


The Covid-19 crisis has had a worse effect on women’s lives than men’s, according to data published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week.

 

Its survey found that over 36% of female respondents rated their overall life satisfaction as ‘low,’ compared to just 22% of men.


Almost half the women surveyed said they wanted to return to the workplace after coronavirus restrictions are lifted. This compares with less than a third of male respondents.


In 2018, the numbers of men and women reporting low satisfaction scores were similar. But the figures have tipped to reveal an increasing dissatisfaction for women during the crisis.


Women also reported higher compliance with official Covid-19 advice, with almost 90% reporting high compliance, compared to just over 70% of men.


Among those with children and working from home, women were more likely to experience childcare-related issues. Additional responsibilities such as caring for a dependant family member also makes it harder for them to work remotely. 


Maintaining social ties was also an extremely important differentiating factor in the desire to return to work, with women twice as likely than men to be concerned about keeping up social ties.


Read the survey results HERE.

 

 

 

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

Ireland, the pandemic and EU recovery
 

Nothing’s yet agreed, but European leaders are discussing proposals to raise between €500 billion and €1 trillion to help European states and regions hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis.


Nothing’s yet agreed, but European leaders are discussing proposals to raise between €500 billion and €1 trillion to help European states and regions hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis.

 

In a new blog, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan argues that, in the immediate aftermath of the Covid-19 public health crisis, debt reduction must take second place to economic recovery, jobs, and investment in quality public services.


Read more HERE.

 

 

 

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

First premier backs four-day week
by Mehak Dugal
 

Jacinda Ardern has become the first world leader to endorse the idea of a four-day working week, saying flexible working options could boost post-Covid economic recovery while helping workers to manage their work-life balance.


Jacinda Ardern has become the first world leader to endorse the idea of a four-day working week. The New Zealand prime minister said flexible working options could boost post-Covid economic recovery while helping workers to manage their work-life balance.


Specifically, Ardern said domestic tourism would be boosted if people had more time to travel. Tourism took a huge hit in many countries – including Ireland and New Zealand – after borders were effectively closed.


Mrs Ardern said the four-day week was ultimately a decision for employers and employees. But she said the pandemic had proved that people can work flexibility at home, while maintaining productivity levels. She strongly encouraged employers to consider permanent reductions in working time.


The New Zealand premier has added her voice to those of researchers who cite flexible working time as a tool for economic recovery. A shorter working week would also help employees become happier and more productive.


Andrew Barnes, whose New Zealand company Perpetual Guardian successfully transitioned to a four-day week in 2018, said a shorter working week could also provide opportunities to share work and create time for retraining and upskilling at a time when tens of thousands of workers had lost their jobs.


Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan also welcomed the announcement. “The lockdown has opened our eyes to new ways of looking at working time and maintaining productivity. A better balance between work and family life is possible, but we must also be aware of the danger of an 'always on' culture, where workers don’t get the chance to switch off properly.


“The four-day week can be a vehicle to meet these challenges, and greater leisure time could provide a crucial domestic stimulus to our own tourism and related sectors," he said.


Last year, Fórsa pioneered the creation of Four-Day Week Ireland, a coalition of businesses, trade unions, environmentalists, academics and NGOs established to campaign for shorter working time in all sectors of the economy.

 

The initiative is the Irish leg of an international campaign to establish a four-day week without reductions in pay or productivity.

 

 

 

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

Loophole still leaves new mums stranded
by Bernard Harbor
 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called on the Government to close a loophole that’s left women out of work because their employers can’t access coronavirus-related income supports when new mums return from maternity leave.


The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called on the Government to close a loophole that’s left women out of work because their employers can’t access coronavirus-related income supports when new mums return from maternity leave.


In a letter to finance minister Paschal Donohoe last week, ICTU leader Patricia King said some women had lost their jobs because their employers had erroneously failed to keep them on the payroll during the period of maternity leave.

 

The temporary wage subsidy scheme (TWSS), introduced to help struggling employers pay salaries, only applies to staff who were on payroll on 29th February 2020.


That means many women returning to work after maternity leave don’t meet a ‘key condition’ of the scheme, and businesses dependent on the TWSS are not in a position to keep them on without public support.


Ms King said this went against the spirit of the wage subsidy scheme, and the letter of the Maternity Protection Act.


“There are around 20,000 recipients of maternity benefit each year and some of them will fall foul to this discriminatory operation of the scheme. While I acknowledge and welcome the need for safeguards against abuse, these are bona fide employees, often with a long employment history and an employer registered with Revenue for the TWSS,” she wrote.


Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday (20th May) Minister Donohoe said he was working with departmental officials and the Revenue Commissioners to see if changes could be made to the scheme to resolve the problem. He had previously said this would require legislation, which can’t be done before a new government is formed.

 

 

 

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

Feature Article
Win €50 and help us help you
 

We’re asking Fórsa members to complete a short anonymous survey to help us develop better supports for you and your family during these strange and difficult times. Participants will be in with the chance to win one of five One4All vouchers, worth €50 each. Complete the survey HERE. Get more information HERE.

 


In one way or another, we’re all feeling the strain in this temporary new world. We’d like to know how we can best support you and your family. Research conducted by Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division last year found that:

  • Over half of members said they had experienced a mental health issue at some point
  • Over a quarter said they were experiencing a mental health issue at that time
  • Only 7% said they felt very well supported at work.

Fórsa cares about your health and wellness. And, now more than ever, we’re exploring new ways to support you.

 

That’s why we’re asking Fórsa members to fill in this quick and anonymous online survey over the next 24 hours. You’ll be in with a chance to win one of five One4all vouchers worth €50 each.

 

The results will help us understand how Fórsa members are dealing with the pandemic and how it’s impacted on home life, working life and emotional wellbeing. Individual responses will be kept anonymous at all times.

 

This survey is being carried out in association with Cornmarket, the administrators of two of Fórsa’s salary protection schemes

 

The aggregate results will be shared with the relevant field experts to help Fórsa and Cornmarket build a free wellness programme, with valuable online tools, events and resources to help you and your family.

 

You can also enter a draw at the end of the survey to win one of five One4All vouchers worth €50 each. This is completely optional, and you don’t have to share your contact details if you don’t want to enter.*

 

We look forward to building this valuable new support service for you. And we’ll be back in touch with the results soon.

 

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

 

*Terms: No purchase necessary. Draws and survey only open to Fórsa members. You will be entered into the prize draw when you complete the survey and provide your name and contact details at the end of the online survey form. Draw closes on 29th May 2020. Prize draws take place 3rd June 2020. Five winners will be randomly selected from respondents of the survey. Winners will be informed by e-mail or phone call by Cornmarket within three working days of this date. Your personal details are confidential and will not be shared with any third parties and will not be used for direct marketing purposes. Prize draw is open to persons aged 18 and over who are ROI residents and excludes any employee of Cornmarket and anyone directly or professionally associated with the draw. Only one entry per person. Entries not submitted in accordance with these rules or delayed entries will be disqualified. There is no alternative to the prize in whole or part. The promoter's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The promoter, Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. reserves the right to alter, amend and foreclose the promotion without prior notice. Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. which is part of the Great-West Lifeco Group of companies. Published by Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd.

Also in this issue
Update your contact details
 

By keeping your contact details up to date we can ensure these regular bulletins deliver news of the most important developments directly to you.

 

Your home or personal email address helps to ensure direct, safe and more effective communications with you than a workplace email address.

 

If you've changed employment recently or prefer to receive information directly to your personal account, you can update your contact details HERE.

Unions resist paramilitary threats
by Bernard Harbor
 

Workers representatives are asking union members to support a cross-community campaign to highlight and resist paramilitary death threats to working journalists in Northern Ireland.


Earlier this month loyalist paramilitaries threatened all journalists working at the Sunday Life and Sunday World newspapers in Belfast. This followed threats against a journalist working for the Irish News, a short while after the first anniversary of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee.


The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is asking Fórsa members to back the campaign by signing a petition, which has attracted support from across the political divide in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Britain.

 

The initiative began when the NUJ joined with the publishers of three Belfast-based newspapers to stand up for journalists and press freedom in Northern Ireland. The campaign has since attracted local and global endorsement, involving many prominent individuals and organisations including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and many journalists and union leaders.


The NUJ’s assistant general secretary Séamus Dooley welcomed the support of Oireachtas members, members of the Northern Ireland legislative assembly, and members of the UK parliament.


"By working with the publishers and our members affected, we have been able to secure the support of a cross-section of society in Northern Ireland. We warmly welcome the strong stand taken by political and community leaders and look forward to a renewed drive to ensure journalists can safely carry out their work on behalf of the public," he said.


Sign the petition HERE.


Read more HERE.

 

 


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

New help with family wellbeing
by Mehak Dugal
 

Mental Health Ireland has launched a ‘family wellbeing toolkit’ to help people manage family wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis.


The NGO says an increasing number of people are struggling with anxiety, depression and other psychological effects of the pandemic. Its toolkit was developed with a view to improving communication and relationships during these challenging times.


It recommends the use of reassuring language and affirmative phrases such as ‘staying at home’ and ‘were in this together,’ as opposed to ‘isolation’ and ‘lockdown.’


The guide also stresses the importance of validating each other’s feelings. It says this is especially important for children.


Mental Health Ireland also recommends that we disconnect from media every once in a while.


Made up of simple checklists and schedules, the toolkit aims to help provide a structure for everyday life.


Fórsa official Dessie Robinson says it’s extremely important to focus on our mental health at this time. “While we focus on our physical health, mental wellbeing is too often ignored. It’s natural to feel anxious, but this crisis has also provided an opportunity to reconnect with our family and friends.


“It’s never been easier or more important to do so with all the technology at our fingertips, and informative resources like this toolkit,” he said.


The guide also stresses the importance of knowing when to ask for help, and advises us to reach out when we feel stressed or overwhelmed.


Read the full list of tips and resources HERE.

 

 

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

Covid-19: Advice to Fórsa members
 

Fórsa has updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for civil servants 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.

 

 

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

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.