Articles A
Take the Fórsa mapping survey (and win!)

As we know, the ETB sector is diverse and provides bespoke services to each region being served. To better inform Fórsa about current staffing and future requirements in ETBs we have compiled a quick survey where you can let us know what the admin staffing layout looks like in your ETB/department at present. For example, how many at each grade in Finance/HR/School/Centre etc.

 

By completing the survey you're in with a chance of winning one of seven ONE4ALL vouchers!  (1x€200 / 2x€100 / 4x€50).

 

The deadline for completing the survey is noon on Monday 20th March 2023, and we'll notify winners by 7th April.

 

PLEASE COMPLETE OUR SURVEY HERE WITH AS MUCH DETAIL ON THE CURRENT LEVEL OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND GRADES IN EACH AREA.

 

*Please do not include any names or personal details*

 

*ONE DRAW ENTRY FOR EACH MEMBER WHO SUBMITS A VALID RESPONSE BY THE DEADLINE.

WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED RANDOMLY AND NOTIFIED BY 07/04/23

 

Click on the link below to take the survey. Alternatively, copy and paste this link - https://bit.ly/3Zthfff - into your browser.


ORGANISATIONAL DESIGN ETBs

Organisation Design – Phase II:

Fórsa has entered discussions regarding Organisation Design – Phase II on the basis that the entire Organisation is under review, inclusive of all grades and functions of an ETB. Fórsa is focused on securing a beneficial career path for its members, and consistency regarding grades/responsibilities across the sector.  Throughout these discussions, Fórsa representative will be consulting with members through meetings and providing bulletins in this newsletter. 


Structure of Organisation Design – Phase II Forum:

Fórsa is represented on a Staff Side in these discussions which includes TUI, AHCPS and SIPTU. 

The Official Side consists of representatives from Department of Education, DFHERIS and ETBI. 

Discussions regarding the Organisation Design for ETBs -Phase II have commenced, following agreement reached in the WRC.   Three sub-committees have been established with the following work streams:

I. Organisation Design review 

to establish shared goals and priority areas that can be progressed within the OD process;

II. FET staffing structures

to secure a FET staffing structure that meets the requirements of the FET strategy;

III. ETB competency/responsibilities framework

to develop a framework that outlines the competencies required and levels and range of responsibility applicable to various grade levels in ETBs. 

The above Sub-Committees have been meeting on a weekly basis.      However, little progress is being made.   The Staff Side, in an effort to progress matters, has proposed to the Official Side that sub-committee meetings are held in blocks of 3 to 4 days during the first quarter of 2023 with a review of progress at the end of March, 2023.  

The Official Side are considering the proposal and will revert early in the new year.

Fórsa representatives will meet and update members during these discussions and provide updates through this Newsletter.   

Fórsa can only represent and progress the interests of its members.    

Non-members can join Fórsa  through the website forsa.ie  to be included in this important process.      

CIRCULAR LETTERS

The following circular letters are currently being negotiated by the staff side with management, at the IR forum


Brief Absences -negotiations are on-going.

CL 0061/2021 issued- Study Leave.

Bereavement Leave: W.E.F 12th Dec 22, 20 working days bereavement leave in the event of the death of a partner/spouse or child is to be applied, pending release of new Circular Letter.

Living Donor Leave: currently DES is awaiting the issue of a circular by DPER. In the interim, a communication has been circulated to all CE’s by the Department advising that each application is considered on a case by case basis.

CL 0081/2020 issued: revision of eligibility criteria for the upgrade of administrative posts in schools/colleges.

CL 43/2020 Scheme for leave of absence following assault in the workplace.

Recruitment and Employment CL-negotiations are on-going.

REVISED PAY AGREEMENT

Fórsa members backed the review of Building Momentum by a significant  margin. Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the result was a strong statement of support for the pay deal, worth 6.5% in addition to existing Building    Momentum pay adjustments, with better increases for lower paid workers.

Kevin said the relatively short lifespan of the pay terms would mean that negotiations on a successor agreement would need to take place in 2023: “In the meantime unions will continue to closely monitor living costs and income pressures."


Feature Article
Lifetime Achievement
by branch PRO Caitriona Tuite

Fórsa president Michael Smyth presents NETB retiring members Mary Ganly and Noel Gannon with the union's Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Pictured (above): Ger Lyons, John McGrath, Trish Tobin, Patricia Tarpey,  Caoimhín O’Tuaithaill, Caitriona Tuite, Noel Gannon, Paul Carey, Eileen Coman, Michael Smyth, Marcel McCafferty, Mary Ganly, Joan Regan, Denise McQuillan, Audrey Conalty, Brenda Mullins.


Also in this issue
Your branch representatives

Branch Representatives

Chairperson

Marcel McCafferty

marcelnetb@gmail.com

Vice-Chairperson

Denis McQuillan 

netbmembership@forsa-rep.ie

Secretary

Brenda Mullins

netbsecretary@forsa-rep.ie

Treasurer

Audrey Conalty

Treasurer.NETB@outlook.com

Full Time Release

Joan Regan

jregan@forsa.ie

Membership Officer

Denise McQuillan

Training Officer

Gerard Lyons

Public Relations Officer

Caitriona Tuite

netb.pro.forsa@gmail.com

Health and Safety Officer

Trish Tobin

Equality Officer

Patricia Tarpey

Standing Orders

Eileen Coman

General Members

Paul Carey

Margaret Dean

Helen Pearce


FÓRSA BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 2022

Fórsa biennial national conference sets union policy for the coming two years and elects the union president and treasurer, along with three vice-presidents. Our May 2022 conference, which was the first such in-person event since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, saw around 700 delegates, executive members, staff and others assemble in Killarney, county Kerry, between Wednesday 18th May and Friday 20th May. The NETB Branch tabled a motion calling for Annual Leave to be aligned for all New Entrants.

FÓRSA EDUCATION DIVISIONAL CONFERENCE will take place April 2023.


Haddington Road Agreement: HOURS RESTORATION

The additional working time was introduced for thousands of public servants as an alternative to a third pay cut.            The return to the pre-July 2013 hours from July 2021, albeit with a minimum working week of 35 hours has unwound the final element of the HRA’s austerity measures and removed of a longstanding and debilitating drain on public service  morale and productivity.