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Income support cuts hit airline workers
by Niall Shanahan
 

Most cabin crew and other airline workers on reduced working time are now losing up to €80 a week in social protection payments because they have reached the maximum annual payment limit of 234 days.


Most cabin crew and other airline workers on reduced working time are now losing up to €80 a week in social protection payments because they have reached the maximum annual payment limit of 234 days.

 

Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Shannon have also been affected by the reduction in the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), which took effect this week. The weekly payment has been reduced from €350 to €300 per week.

 

Further PUP rate reductions are due to take effect in November and February, and the Government aims to phase out the scheme altogether from next February.

 

The head of Fórsa’s Services and Enterprises Division, Ashley Connolly, said the sustained reduction of income over the last 18 months has put most cabin crew under severe financial pressure.

 

“The short-term working payment meant that affected crew could receive €40 per day. This topped up their weekly income at a time when they are only receiving 60% of their usual take home pay.

 

“Now the majority of those receiving the benefit have lost the payment because they’ve reached the annual limit of 234 days. Over the last 18 months cabin crew have seen their incomes reduced to as little as 30% of their basic pay,” she said.

 

The cuts to the PUP means that the crew laid off at Shannon are now dealing with a significant drop in their weekly income, with no prospect of a return to work, as other sectors of the economy reopen.

 

“The sustained reduction in incomes means that these workers remain under very severe pressure to meet household bills, mortgage payments and back-to-school costs. The sudden loss of short-term working payments and cuts to the PUP means that these pressures have now increased substantially,” said Ashley.

 

For over a year, Fórsa has been calling for industry-specific income supports for aviation, on the basis that it will be among the last sectors to recover from pandemic-related recession.

 

More recently, ICTU’s pre-Budget submission has called for the wage subsidy scheme to be transformed into a short-time work scheme, so that State supports continue for workers in sectors hit by a reduction in demand.

 

Ashley who addressed the Labour-Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) Aviation Sub Group on Tuesday reiterated the hardship that aviation workers continue to experience affected by the cuts in income supports.

 

“I’m concerned that there may be a sense that everything is okay because we appear to be returning to normal economic conditions. But things are far from normal for aviation workers, and it’s in nobody’s interests to leave them behind as the economy begins to recover,” 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. 

Aer Lingus proposals rejected
by Niall Shanahan
 

Aer Lingus cabin crew branch have voted to reject the company’s latest proposals for structural changes by a majority of just over 82%.


Aer Lingus cabin crew branch have voted to reject the company’s latest proposals for structural changes by a majority of just over 82%. Almost 900 members took part in the electronic ballot, which concluded on Tuesday (14th September).

 

The company’s proposals had not been agreed by the branch committee executive. The branch made a decision to maintain a ‘neutral’ stance on the proposals, putting them to a ballot without any recommendation.

 

The branch committee hosted a series of webinars during the ballot to allow members to ask questions about the proposals, which included a pay freeze until December 2024, a lower pay scale entry point, changes to sick leave for new entrants, and reductions in sales commission.

 

The airline’s executive director for HR wrote to Fórsa in response to the ballot result. He said rejecting the proposal “does not remove the need for immediate and structural change it makes it more urgent.”

 

The company is expected to outline its next steps over the coming days.

 

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Measured return to work expected
by Róisín McKane
 

Fórsa is to engaging with non-commercial semi-state employers and other public sector bodies on a wide range of measures ahead of the phased return to workplaces, due to commence from next Monday (20th September).


Fórsa is to engaging with non-commercial semi-state employers and other public sector bodies on a wide range of measures ahead of the phased return to workplaces, due to commence from next Monday (20th September).

 

Official guidance to employers, which was published earlier this month, stressed the need for a “cautious and careful” approach and a gradual return to workplace attendance.

 

Fórsa official Denis Keane said a slow and measured return to non-commercial semi state workplaces is expected. “Any return to office based work must be in line with public health guidelines and we expect that all public sector bodies will implement the protocols laid down by DPER” he said.

 

Fórsa has insisted that engagements between management and union representatives should encompass ‘blended’ working arrangements pending agreement on national and local ‘post-emergency’ remote working policies.

 

“Fórsa is in ongoing discussions with DPER on the development of a blended work policy and we hope this will be concluded by April next year. In the meantime, the guidelines clearly set out the need for flexible work and staggered attendance. Fórsa will strenuously oppose any attempt by management to revert to pre-Covid office attendance,” he said.

 

The official guidance on the phased return to workplaces underlines the requirement for employers to consult with staff and worker safety representatives in advance of the September 20th commencement of the return to workplaces, and emphasises the need for employers to take account of a revised Work Safely Protocol and related health and safety checklists

 

It strongly advises the use of staggered arrangements like “non-fulltime attendance and flexible working hours,” and reminds employers that workplace attendance is only advised for “specific business requirements.”

 

The revised workplace safety protocol continues to stress the requirement for staff to work from home as much as possible in the period between 20th September and the proposed removal of most public health restrictions from 22nd October.

 

From then the requirement to work from home will be removed, allowing a return to physical attendance in workplaces “on a phased and cautious basis appropriate to each sector.”

 

Fórsa branches have been advised to seek assistance from the union if their local management moves to impose unacceptable arrangements during the phased return to the workplace.

 

Read the official guidance HERE. 

 

Read about the revised workplace safety protocol HERE. 

 

Read the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) checklists HERE

 

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

Meeting on local employment today
by Niall Shanahan
 

Unions, senior officials from the social protection department, and representatives of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) meet today (Friday) to discuss issues arising from plans to put local employment services (LES) out to tender.


Unions, senior officials from the social protection department, and representatives of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) meet today (Friday) to discuss issues arising from plans to put local employment services (LES) out to tender.

 

The move follows a demonstration by hundreds of LES staff outside Government buildings last week (Monday 6th September). The rally was organised by Fórsa and SIPTU.

 

The unions have said a Government-imposed tendering process favours for-profit providers over the current community-focussed, not-for-profit service. This means that privatisation, job losses and a diminished employment service is likely unless the Government changes course.  

 

Members rallying at Government buildings called for an immediate intervention by Taoiseach Michéal Martin in the face of a real threat of privatisation of the services. The message to Government, ‘Our Community Is Not For Sale’ was also backed by Dublin city councillors and Dublin Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland.

 

Fórsa official Lynn Coffey said a meeting is to take place today (Friday 17th September) between unions, senior officials from the Department of Social Protection and representatives of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), which is the representative body for Ireland's local development companies (LDCs).

 

“Today’s meeting gives unions the opportunity to voice our concerns directly to senior officials. Jobs have been lost already and more are on the line if these changes proceed as planned, with the prospect of staff being thrown out of work as early as January.

 

“At the very least, pay and working conditions are likely to be greatly diminished. And vital community employment services will be damaged at a time when over 300,000 people are unemployed or on PUP payments.

 

“We are demanding that the Taoiseach listens to our concerns over jobs and service quality, and works with us to establish a stakeholder forum involving service providers, job-seekers, workers’ representatives, government and academic experts,” she said.

 

“Jobs are on the line if these changes proceed as planned, with the prospect of staff being thrown out of work as early as January. At the very least, pay and working conditions are likely to be greatly diminished. And vital community employment services will be damaged at a time when over 300,000 people are unemployed or on PUP payments,” she said.

 

A short video of the rally is available to view HERE

 

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

Delay urged for planned pension age increase
by Niall Shanahan
 

It’s been reported that the Pensions Commission has recommended that a planned increase in the State pension age to 67 should be delayed by at least seven years.


It’s been reported that the Pensions Commission has recommended that a planned increase in the State pension age to 67 should be delayed by at least seven years.

 

Media reports say that the commission has urged social protection minister Heather Humphreys to instead increase the State pension age to 67 in quarterly increments between 2028 and 2031.

 

The commission’s report, submitted to the minister last week, also said to have recommended that the age be gradually increased to 68 by between 2032 and 2039.

 

The age at which the State pension kicks in rose from 65 to 66 in 2014. Plans to increase it to 67 this year were postponed following pressure from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and others. Instead, the Pensions Commission was asked to consider the issue and make recommendations.

 

The recent media reports say the commission has also recommended a requirement that workers make 40 years of social insurance contributions to qualify for a full State pension. Current arrangements allow people to qualify for a full pension after ten years, while the amount they receive is based on average yearly contributions.

 

Fórsa has urged full publication of the report and its recommendations.

 

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Blended working talks to get underway
by Bernard Harbor
 

Fórsa is to sit down with civil service management for talks on a ‘blended working’ policy next week. 


Fórsa is to sit down with civil service management for talks on a ‘blended working’ policy next week. Once agreement is reached in the civil service, the outcome is expected to inform discussions in non-commercial State agencies and other public service organisations.

 

The aim is to agree a framework and manage blended working in the long-term. It would supersede arrangements put in place during the pandemic.

 

A Government ‘Blended Working Policy Statement, published in July, said the civil service would switch from pandemic-related remote working provisions to long-term blended working arrangements between September 2021 and March 2022.

 

But last week Fórsa told senior Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) officials that the civil service talks must conclude much sooner to allow discussions to take place in other sectors in time for agreed policies to be in place by next spring. Management has agreed that this is the best approach.

 

There was some early engagement between the union and civil service management on the implementation of the Government’s blended working policy statement during the summer months, when Fórsa submitted detailed observations on a draft DPER blended working framework.

 

The comprehensive unwinding of Covid-19 restrictions announced by the Government at the end of last month includes a phased return to workplaces from 20th September. But, speaking to reporters after the launch, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he expected people to embrace ‘blended working’ – a mix of remote work and workplace attendance.

 

Fórsa said the phased return to workplaces should build on the positive pandemic experience of remote or ‘blended’ working, which had largely sustained or increased productivity throughout the pandemic while bringing wider benefits to employers, workers and society.

 

The union says the public service should show a lead on remote working, which can bring significant benefits to staff, employers and society while sustaining service quality and productivity across the economy.

 

“We want to see a consistent approach across the civil and public service, with transparency and fairness over access to remote working. We are also seeking adequate protections on working conditions, privacy and data protection, a right to disconnect, and health and safety including mental health,” it said.

 

The Government’s Remote Working Strategy, published in January 2021, includes a pledge to establish a legal right to request remote working, introduce a legally admissible code of practice on the right to disconnect, review the treatment of remote working for tax purposes, and make remote working the norm for 20% of public sector staff.

 

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

 

Call for board gender quotas
by Mehak Dugal
 

The National Women’s Council (NWCI) has backed a new bill that would impose gender quotas for company boards.


The National Women’s Council (NWCI) has backed a new bill that would impose gender quotas for company boards.

 

The Irish Corporate Governance (Gender Balance) Bill 2021, introduced to Dáil Éireann by Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins, would require a 33% quota for women on company boards, rising to 40% after three years. It would apply to Irish companies with 50 or more employees, and would introduce sanctions for companies that fail to comply.

 

The bill would require companies to submit annual gender balance reports at boardroom level.

 

The NWCI also called on the Government to bring forward legislation to introduce gender quotas for boards. It said the proposed private members’ bill aligns with its ‘Balance the Odds’ campaign, which was launched earlier this year to increase women’s representation on corporate Boards.

 

NWCI director Orla O’Connor said the bill had the potential to improve women’s representation on boards. She and called on the Government to support it.

 

She said it would help bring Ireland in line with other EU countries like France and Germany, which have already successfully adopted legislative quotas on company boards.

 

Emma DeSouza of the NWCI said the voluntary target-led approach had not worked.

 

“A growing number of studies make a business case for increasing the number of women in leadership roles. Including women in senior management and on boards makes full use of the available talent, incorporates more diverse perspectives and life experiences, and – in turn – leads to greater innovation, higher productivity, and better working conditions,” she said.

 

Read the NWCI report on increasing gender balance on boards HERE.

 

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

Congress concerns on housing plan
by Bernard Harbor
 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has expressed "significant concerns” about the targets for public housing provision, affordable housing and cost rental homes set out in the Government’s new housing policy.


The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has expressed "significant concerns” about the targets for public housing provision, affordable housing and cost rental homes set out in the Government’s new housing policy called Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, which was published earlier this month.

 

Congress also said it believed stronger protections against eviction in the private rental sector were needed.

 

Congress officer Macdara Doyle said: “We are in the midst of the deepest, most severe housing crisis in the history of the State, and this requires a response that is commensurate with the scale of that challenge. Congress has consistently argued that the resolution of this crisis lies in a major State-led housing programme that delivers the public, affordable and cost rental homes in the right locations and in the numbers required, to meet the scale of existing need.”

 

He added that union officials were studying the details of the proposals, and would issue a comprehensive response to Government in the coming days.

 

“On initial reading, the plan does appear to contain positive commitments in respect of ending homelessness, action on youth and family homelessness and ensuring greater social inclusion in housing policy, particularly with respect to Traveller accommodation. But more detail on implementation on these key issues will be required,” said Doyle.  

 

Social Justice Ireland said the policy failed to reflect the scale of the challenge. The think tank said the help-to-buy scheme – which allows first-time buyers to claim back up to €20,000 through tax – should be scrapped. It also want the sale of public land for private development to be outlawed.

 

Meanwhile, Focus Ireland welcomed the policy’s commitment to end homelessness by 2030 and acknowledged its ambitious social and affordable housing targets. But it called for maximising housing delivery early in the 10-year strategy.

 

Its director of advocacy Mike Allen said the commitment to work to end homelessness must be more than words. “To make this a reality, policy must shift away from providing more shelters as a response to homelessness. This commitment must spearhead a move to provide more affordable housing, adequate supports and effective prevention measures to help keep people in their homes.”

 

Read Housing for All HERE. 

 

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

Feature Article
Green Ribbon 2021: Positive mental health
by Niall Shanahan
 

The See Change campaign for positive mental health is underway throughout September. Each year the organisation rolls out its month-long national Green Ribbon initiative to encourage people in Ireland to end mental health stigma and discrimination. This is the ninth successive year of the campaign.


The See Change campaign for positive mental health is underway throughout September.

 

Each year the organisation rolls out its month-long national Green Ribbon initiative to encourage people in Ireland to end mental health stigma and discrimination. This is the ninth successive year of the campaign.

 

The organisation aims to promote a better understanding of mental health, to champion equality and bring an end to discrimination for everyone affected by mental health problems. See Change promotes a vision of an Ireland where every person has an open and positive attitude to their own and others' mental health, and aims to create an environment where people are more open and positive in their attitudes and behaviour towards mental health.

 

To get the conversation started, everyone is encouraged to wear the Green Ribbon, an international symbol for mental health awareness. By wearing the ribbon you’ll be showing you’re committed to influencing positive change.

 

You don’t need to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let someone know you are there for them and simply listen.

 

Let people know you are open to having a conversation by wearing the green ribbon.

 

Fórsa staff will be joining in this year, and encouraging union members to get involved in a positive conversation about mental health. To find out more, and to place an order for your own Green Ribbon, visit the See Change website.

Also in this issue
Fórsa launches skills academy
by Róisín McKane
 

The new home for all of Fórsa’s training and development initiatives was launched yesterday (16th September). The Fórsa Skills Academy will offer a wide range of introductory, expanded and advanced training designed for the union’s workplace representatives and branch activists. You can read more about the range of courses HERE

 

Speaking at the launch Fórsa’s director of training and development Linda Kelly described the academy as “a new era, supporting all of our incredible workplace representatives.”

 

Fórsa activist and local government chair Julie Flood spoke passionately and encouragingly about her experience with the union’s training offering.

 

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, deputy general secretary Eoin Ronayne and president Michael Smyth also welcomed the new venture.

 

Details of the first introductory course – Fórsa 101 – have been circulated to branches, and we have invited expressions of interest. This is a half-day online course on the union and how it works, with a focus on the role of Fórsa workplace representatives.

 

Members who are interested in attending should discuss their application with their branch training officer or branch secretary and the Fórsa official assigned to their branch.

 

Full details of how to apply are available HERE

 

For further information contact Judith Coffey 021-425-5221 or at skillsacademy@forsa.ie.

 

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

Update your contact details
by Róisín McKane
 

Fórsa is keen to ensure that we have up-to-date contact details for all our members. You can help us keep you informed by visiting the ‘Update My Details’ page and adding your personal email address (not a work address), home postal address, and mobile phone number.

 

To update your contact details, simply fill in this online form

 

And please share this with your colleagues. If we don’t have their contact details they won’t have received this message.

 

Please note, your home email address helps to ensure direct, safe and more effective communications with you than a workplace email address.

 

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

Fórsa supports Myanmar and its workers
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar, and given its full support to the campaign to stop the military-led State Administration Council (SAC) from gaining recognition as the country’s government at the 76th UN General Assembly.

 

The union also unequivocally backed the call for immediate release of trade unionists currently being unlawfully detained for opposing the violent oppression and campaigning for democracy and freedom for the people of Myanmar.

 

Along with unions around the world, Fórsa called for the recognition of the legitimate government of Myanmar, which was elected last November.

 

It said it rejects the military-led State Administration Council, and instead backed the call to have the National Unity Government (NUG) recognised as the legitimate government of Myanmar.

 

The trade union movement in Myanmar has bravely and successfully campaigned to reject the credentials of the SAC at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in June. The ILO – made up of representatives of governments, business and workers – adopted a resolution calling for a return to democracy and respect for fundamental rights in Myanmar.

 

The crucial victories by the union-led movement are imperative to effectively fight the military rule and must be continued, Fórsa has said

 

The union also commended the efforts of health workers in Myanmar. They are battling the unprecedented demands of the global health pandemic, while also opposing the regressive regime and campaigning for human rights.

 

You can view the union’s solidarity message on the official message board here.

 

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

Grant scheme invites applications
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa is inviting eligible members and activists to apply to its third level grant support scheme, which gives limited financial assistance to those undertaking certified educational courses – up to third level – that will assist them in carrying out their union representative role.

 

The scheme does not cover courses designed to enhance professional or career development unless they also improve a member’s ability to act as a Fórsa rep.

 

Applicants, who must be fully paid-up Fórsa members, can only apply by completing the approved application form and they must also have the support of their own Fórsa branch.

 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 13th October 2021.

 

Full details of the application requirements and available support are available HERE. 

 

The application form is available HERE.

 

It’s never been more important – or easier – 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.

Labour Court marks 75 years
by Niall Shanahan
 

Ireland’s Labour Court will next week mark its 75th anniversary. The court’s prestigious history and crucial role in the development of the State is being celebrated on social media on #IrelandThenandNow.

 

The court was established in 1946, following the enactment of the Industrial Relations Act, which coincided with the end of a seven-month pay dispute by Dublin teachers.

 

Current deputy chairs of the court include Louise O’Donnell and Tom Geraghty, both of whom formerly worked for our union. Louise was head of the Health and Welfare Division in IMPACT, one of the unions that amalgamated to create Fórsa. Tom is a former general secretary of both Fórsa and the PSEU. Both were appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

 

Louise, who was called to the Bar of Ireland last year, said the court’s role in the history of the State parallels Ireland’s modernisation and the continuing development of workers’ rights.

 

“The court carries a proud history of adjudication, and the work we do today is built on strong foundations created by those members of the court who served ahead of us. In marking this anniversary, it gives us an opportunity to consider the outstanding work of people like Evelyn Owens, the first woman appointed as deputy chair of the court, who became its first female chair in 1994.

 

“Evelyn’s legacy includes a robust body of case law on equality issues, on which we continue to build, and we take pride in that legacy as we mark 75 years of the court’s service to the state,” she said.

 

When it was established the court’s main functions were to adjudicate in trade disputes and to provide a conciliation service. Other functions given to the court included the establishment of joint labour committees (JLCs) and the registration of employment agreements and joint industrial councils. In 1975 an equality service was added to deal with equal pay – and later, equal treatment – cases.

 

This equality service, and the conciliation service of the Labour Court, were transferred to the newly established Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in 1991. In 2015, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was established, incorporating the roles and functions previously carried out by the LRC, as well as those of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), Equality Tribunal (ET), Rights Commissioners Service (RCS), and the first-instance (complaints and referral) functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).

 

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