Fórsa is close to concluding its position on the formation of local authority bargaining units under the sectoral bargaining provisions of the new public service agreement, Building Momentum.

The agreement establishes a ‘sectoral bargaining fund’ worth 1% of basic pay, on top of two general round pay adjustments worth 1% each. It can be used to deal with outstanding adjudications, recommendations and claims relevant to specific groups of workers within the local authority sector. Or groups can opt to take the 1% as a straight pay increase.

The first step is to identify the different groups of grades and staff categories. The union’s Local Government Division and Municipal Employees’ Division considered their positions last week. In general, the bargaining units are likely be similar to those in previous grade-related pay rounds.

Arrangements for early engagement and consultations with technicians, engineers and related grades, and senior executive officer grades, have been put in train.

The approach to clerical and administrative grades and general operative grades will be subject to cross-sectoral discussions within the union, as large numbers work in these or similar grades in the civil service, education and health, as well as local authorities.

Once these ‘sectoral bargaining units’ are agreed with management, work will begin on how the additional 1% of pay will be distributed through sectoral bargaining.

Agreement on the shape of the sectoral bargaining groups is meant to be concluded by the end of next month. Payment of any sectoral awards is scheduled for 1st February 2022.

Discussions on the establishment of an independent body charged with addressing the so-called ‘Haddington Road hours’ are also underway. The body will take submissions from management and unions representing grades whose hours were increased under the 2013 Haddington Road deal.

It will make recommendations by the end of 2021. Rollout of these recommendations will begin within the lifetime of the agreement, with €150 million available to commence implementation during 2022.