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Union seeks face coverings rule
by Hazel Gavigan
 

A suite of safety measures has been rolled out in local authorities across the country to protect staff and service users from contracting Covid-19.


A suite of safety measures has been rolled out in local authorities across the country to protect staff and service users from contracting Covid-19.

 

However, the employers’ body has confirmed to Fórsa that it cannot enforce the mandatory wearing of face coverings by the public.

 

Head of the Local Government and Local Services and Municipal divisions, Peter Nolan wrote to the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) in August on foot of multiple queries from Fórsa members concerning face coverings.

 

“The union has been contacted by a large number of members in relation to the implications of recent public health regulations which made the wearing of face masks or coverings mandatory for staff and members of the public in retail premises,” Peter said.

 

He then wrote to the LGMA, requesting that local authorities immediately adopt the same standard in relation to all their publicly accessible buildings.

 

The employers’ body subsequently responded by explaining that legislation allowing for compulsory face coverings is very specific on its application and local authorities therefore “have no statutory authority to make this mandatory other than in buildings provided for in the statutory instrument.”

 

However, the LGMA reassured Fórsa that it has introduced other safety measures such as physical distancing and the erection of protection screens where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

 

Standard operating guidance has also been fully implemented across the sector which includes risk assessment of work activities, and provides for the wearing of personal protection equipment (PPE) including face coverings, if required.

 

Fórsa is monitoring the situation and in consistent contact with the LGMA and the Department.

 

If you have a safety concern about your workplace, you should contact your lead worker representative or your union official.

 

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.

August Covid guidance remains in place
by Róisín McKane and Bernard Harbor
 

Public health Covid-19 guidelines were tightened last month, following an increase of coronavirus cases.


Public health Covid-19 guidelines were tightened last month, following an increase of coronavirus cases. The new control measures announced on 18th August included limits on both indoor and outdoor gatherings, a restriction on sporting events, and the introduction of a 11.30pm curfew for pubs serving food and restaurants, amongst others.

 

The HSE has also issued updated advice on cocooning for people who are at very high risk from COVID-19. In addition, workers have been encouraged to work from home where possible, and employers have been asked to facilitate this.

 

New guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sets out advice for civil and public sector workers, and stresses that employers will continue to determine which staff must report to their workplaces. This is a reaffirmation of the existing position, and Fórsa continues to advise members to go into work if instructed to do so by their line manager – and to contact the union if they have safety concerns.

 

Fórsa has now updated its Covid-19 safety advice for members who are returning to work – as well as those who have been in the workplace throughout the crisis.

 

The union advice reflects recent Government announcements and revised official guidance, and also sets out employers’ responsibilities under the Return to Work Safety Protocol, which was agreed by unions, employers and the Government in early May.

 

The comprehensive protocol outlines the required safety measures in detail, and says that significant changes to work patterns – designed to facilitate social distancing and other safety measures – must be agreed with worker representatives.

 

DPER’s current position on home working represents a change in emphasis from earlier official guidance, which was last updated in July when public health restrictions were being eased.

 

It reflects Government measures announced in August which said staff across the economy should work from home “unless it is absolutely essential for an employee to attend in person.” These measures are in force until 13th September at the earliest, by which time revised guidance is expected.

 

Contact us if you have safety concerns about your workplace.

 

Read Fórsa’s advice on returning to work and workplace safety requirements 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.

 

Strong appetite for remote work – survey
Younger workers face particular challenges
by Róisín McKane
 

The experience of remote working during the Covid-19 emergency has demonstrated that work can be carried out remotely in ways that are productive and cost-effective, all while being attractive to employers and their staff.


The experience of remote working during the Covid-19 emergency has demonstrated that work can be carried out remotely in ways that are productive and cost-effective, all while being attractive to employers and their staff. Workers overwhelmingly value the flexibility that remote working can bring, while employers cite improved productivity and cost savings as potential benefits.

 

A recent survey, Conducted by Amarách Research on behalf of Fórsa, examining the issue has revealed a huge appetite for working from home, with more than 80% of respondents in favour, preferring a hybrid model with a blend of office-based work and remote activities.

 

The survey gathered the opinions of more than 4,300 workers and found that 86% of respondents were interested in working remotely.

 

Although most participants were civil and public servants, its findings broadly mirror similar research conducted by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) last year, in which the majority of respondents were from the private sector.

 

The survey found that 70% of those who had worked at home during the crisis said remote working had been a positive, or very positive, experience. Reduced exposure to Covid-19 was the most frequently-cited positive factor associated with home working during the pandemic (81%), followed by improved work-life balance (70%), reduced commuting time (67%), and increased work flexibility (55%).

 

The data indicates that young workers however, while broadly supportive of remote working, experience a unique set of challenges. 

 

Some 66% of workers aged below 30 found remote working to be a positive experience, compared with 81% when looking at all age groups. While almost three-quarters of respondents said their home was suitable for remote working, less than a quarter of those aged under 30 agreed, suggesting that younger workers face particular difficulties when considering home working, a phenomenon that is likely to present in all sectors of the economy.

 

Similarly, 40% of those surveyed shared their home working space with another adult for some or all of the time. Age and regional factors were significant with more than half of those aged below 30, and 53% of those based in Dublin, sharing home work space.

 

A lack of interaction with colleagues was the biggest single negative aspect of home working, cited by 69% of respondents. Almost half said they found it harder to find out what was happening at work, and a quarter said management communicated poorly during the pandemic.

 

Participants also cited difficulty in separating work from home life. These findings broadly mirror the concerns that surfaced in the 2019 DBEI survey.

 

Worryingly, just 28% of those who worked remotely said a manager had asked them about their home working set-up from a health and safety perspective. The union has now called for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to draw up specific employer and employee guidelines on remote working, assessing both physical and mental health risks.

 

Dialogue

 

In its submission to a Government consultation on remote working, which was delivered last month, Fórsa called on the Government to open a dialogue with unions and employers, aimed at strengthening the legal framework around remote working, including the possibility of a legal right for employees to seek remote working and other flexible working arrangements.

 

The submission also insists that those working remotely should benefit from the same rights, guaranteed by legislation and collective agreements, as comparable staff at their employer’s premises.

 

Considering this, Fórsa will host a webinar for members on 25th September at 1pm, exploring the future for remote working from the perspective of workers, employers, communities and the economy. Our panel of expert speakers will explore issues like productivity, health and safety, work-life balance, and staying connected with colleagues. Details of the event and registration links will circulate to branches shortly.

 

More information on the results of the Fórsa remote working survey can be found HERE.

 

Read Fórsa’s submission to a Government consultation on remote working HERE

 

Read Fórsa’s remote working guide 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.

 

 

Over 3,000 water workers fear for their future
by Bernard Harbor
 

More than 3,000 local authority staff working in water services have raised fears about their jobs and the continued public ownership of Ireland’s water services after senior civil servants were reported to have advised the new local government minister Darragh O'Brien to transfer local council water operations to Irish Water.


More than 3,000 local authority staff working in water services have raised fears about their jobs and the continued public ownership of Ireland’s water services after senior civil servants were reported to have advised the new local government minister Darragh O'Brien to transfer local council water operations to Irish Water.

 

This follows media reports during the summer of the details of a civil service briefing for the new minister, which warned that current arrangements increased the “risk” of service failure. Fórsa, the union that represents most of the staff, has rejected this assertion and says workers fear the real motive is to prepare water services for future privatisation.

 

The union had earlier expressed disappointment at the incoming coalition’s failure to set a date for a referendum to secure public ownership of water services in the Programme for Government.

 

At an August meeting with Fórsa and other unions in the sector, Minister O’Brien gave assurances that he would engage with them on the future of Irish water services. Fórsa followed up with a letter in which the country’s largest public service union reminded the minister that the issue was currently being dealt with in a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process.

 

The WRC process was prompted by union fears over the previous administration’s proposal to move local authority water services into a single water utility by 2021. Fórsa has insisted on “simultaneous movement” on four strands in the talks:

  • The future sustainability and revitalisation of local authority services
  • A constitutional referendum on public ownership of water services
  • The structure and governance of the proposed single water utility, and
  • Employment and industrial relations issues that arise from the proposal

In the letter to Minister O’Brien, Fórsa’s local government chief Peter Nolan said staff were fearful for their jobs and future the quality and continuity of safe water services – especially if privatisation remains a possibility.

 

“Over 3,000 local authority workers continue to provide waste and water services under very difficult conditions, dealing with a network that has been under-resourced for decades. It would be most unfortunate if civil servants within your department, with or without your agreement, had insinuated that the current service level agreement would lead to ‘water service failure.’ Such briefings are not based in reality and do nothing to instill confidence among our members about their future,” he said.

 

Peter said a referendum was necessary to assure workers and communities that water services would not be sold off. He said water privatisation in other counties had led to worse services at higher cost to citizens and taxpayers. “The privatisation of water has been successfully reversed in a host of European cities and regions because privatised services only mean higher costs and a failure to deliver promised improvement,” 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.

Asthma Society provides return-to-work advice
by Hazel Gavigan
 

The Asthma Society of Ireland has launched a host of new resources designed to support people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in returning to work safely.


The Asthma Society of Ireland has launched a host of new resources designed to support people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in returning to work safely.

 

Two checklists were produced for employees and employers respectively, which help people to both manage their condition at work while also outlining the necessary safety steps employers should take in the wake of Covid-19 for vulnerable staff.

 

As part of the Back2Work campaign, the Asthma Society also hosted a Facebook live Q&A session with respiratory advanced nurse practitioner, Ruth Morrow. Topics such as travelling to work safely and remaining aware of Covid-19 in the workplace were covered and can be watched back here.

 

The initiative was developed after one in four users of the Asthma Society’s asthma and COPD adviceline service looked for additional information on returning to work safely in July.

 

Approximately 380,000 people in Ireland have asthma, with those who experience mild-moderate asthma more likely to experience severe symptoms of Covid-19, should they contract it. While those with severe asthma and COPD are ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ and must take additional steps to stay safe.

 

The steps outlined in this advice are to prevent the contraction of Covid-19 at work for medically vulnerable people, but if you feel unwell you should not attend work, even if all precautionary steps are in place.

 

For the employee Back2Work checklist, click here.

 

For the employer Back2Work checklist, click here.

 

Review the Back2Work Facebook live event here.

 

For more information, 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 us HERE.

Feature Article
Welcome back
by Fórsa Communications Team
 

Hopefully you’ve had chance to take a restful break during the summer. After our pause in August the Fórsa news bulletin is back and will be delivered to your inbox every fortnight. This is where you will find the latest available union news relevant to your sector.


Hopefully you’ve had chance to take a restful break during the summer. After our pause in August the Fórsa news bulletin is back and will be delivered to your inbox every fortnight. This is where you will find the latest available union news relevant to your sector.

 

The coming months are set to be a busy period for us all, as schools re-open and other workplaces and services continue to work within the public health guidelines. If you have a story from your workplace that you think we should include please get in touch via the contact page on Fórsa’s website, or speak to your local Fórsa representative.

 

Stay well and stay safe.

Also in this issue
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.

Union guidance on remote working
 

Fórsa has published new 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.

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.