Fórsa and the INMO are working with members and activists around the country to establish Joint Organising Committees (JOCs). These committees will be tasked with collecting and collating accurate information regarding vacant posts, maternity leave positions left unfilled, use of third-party contractors and more. This information will be used to plan the industrial action approved by members late last year.  

The unions aim to have the committees up and running by the end of February, with a meeting due to take place next week that will bring together all those who have decided to get involved. 

This is a significant undertaking that will see over 50 hospital committees, a further 21 integrated health areas (IHA) committees, as well as committees for national services, established across each of the six health regions.

Encouraging members to step up and get involved head of the Health and Welfare division Ashley Connolly said: “Only by working together in every area of the HSE, will you achieve the outcome that you want. We’ve created these committees to bring together Fórsa and INMO members to plan effective industrial action. Now more than ever, it is important that members remain vigilant and engage with their representatives to continue the fight to protect services.” 

When the unions wrote to Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO, informing him of the plan to establish JOCs he responded stating that all regions must operate within the Pay and Numbers strategy and that “is not a matter for change.” 

Reassuring members that the union will continue to push back against the PNS, national secretary Linda Kelly said: “This position is simply untenable given the mandate the union received from you and your colleagues and the desire from members to have a functioning and transparent workforce planning process within the HSE.” 

If you want to see a significant change to the current chaotic approach to workforce planning by the HSE, please contact your local branch and official to get involved.  

Late last year Fórsa members working for the HSE and Section 38 Voluntary Hospitals voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. 

The ballot was organised in response to the HSE's suppression of thousands of vacant posts as part of their ‘Pay and Numbers’ strategy which the union has called a ‘recruitment embargo’ by any other name. 93.6% voted in favour of industrial action, with a turnout of 60.8%. 

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