Fórsa’s members’ survey has revealed very strong support for the union to pursue inflation-matching pay increases, including in the next round of public service pay talks.

The survey, which drew completed responses from more than 20,000 members nationwide, was commissioned by Fórsa and conducted by Amarach research in the second half of April.

More than 80% of respondents said it was ‘very important’ that that pay negotiations secure increases that match inflation, and this response was especially high (90%) among younger workers.

The survey found a clear majority of respondents are in favour of Fórsa organising a ballot for industrial action if negotiated increases are below the rate of inflation, with only 5% opposed, while the remainder said they would consider their support for an industrial action ballot when details of any pay offer are known.

The union said that if such a ballot became necessary support would be likely to increase, and noted a higher level of support for an industrial action ballot among younger Fórsa members.

The survey gathered data on the views of Fórsa members in relation to pay, incomes, cost-of-living and a range of political issues.

Over 90% of members said it’s important that future pay negotiations cover any shortfall experienced because of the withdrawal of government cost-of-living supports, such as energy credits. More than two thirds of those respondents described this outcome as ‘very important’.

The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, expires at the end of 2023. Talks on a successor agreement are expected to take place in the coming months.

Responding to the survey results Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, who chairs the ICTU’s Public Services Committee, described the rate of response to the survey as “phenomenal”, and said its findings on pay and cost-of-living issues provided a sharp illustration of the main concerns of all households. 

He commented: “There can be no doubt that the cost-of-living must continue to be the main focus for unions in pay talks this year.

“As and when public service talks get underway, unions will concentrate on a number of key cost-of-living issues, including the need to make good the shortfall in pay against inflation during the remaining term of the current pay agreement, which expires in December.

“We will also factor in the effect of any cessation of Government cost-of-living measures and supports - which this survey reveals as a core issue - in addition to anticipating cost-of-living projections over the period of any proposed agreement to emerge from talks with Government,” he said.

Kevin added: “The last few months have been very challenging for working people with food inflation, in particular, remaining stubbornly high. Unions are absolutely clear that last year’s Building Momentum review didn't fully compensate for the rate of inflation.

“When workers were weighing up the terms of that deal, they were also paying close attention to the Government’s intentions to introduce various measures, including budgetary tax changes.

“We’ve already made it clear to government and employers, if these supports are withdrawn and if prices remain elevated - as they surely will - the shortfall will have to be made good in wage bargaining across the economy,” he said.

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Fórsa’s Education and Training Board (ETB) branch has criticised the failure of the Department of Education and the Government to negotiate on a second phase of organisational design for ETBs, which would include a review of all grades and functions.

Speaking to the branch’s motion at Fórsa’s Education divisional conference in April, branch chair Marcel McCafferty said the ETBs would mark 10 years in existence on 1^st July this year, and that the majority of Fórsa members in the education sector had been working above their pay grades for many years.

He told delegates that a second phase of organisational design was to look at the staffing structure from director level to Grade III, in order to establish consistent structures across the ETBs.

However, he told delegates the process had yet to be agreed, and accused the department of ‘backtracking’ on its commitments as the department has denied it ever agreed to talks on a second phase.

Marcel told delgates: “As an employee of an ETB this has been a very frustrating time.

“Without a designated structure, staff have found limited career progression options, and we’ve unfortunately seen staff with many years of experience leave ETBs for that exact reason.

“I’ve witnessed two members with 18 and 16 years’ experience, respectively, leave in the past year due to the lack of progression options,” he said.

He added that modernised procedures had not reduced staff workloads: “The creation of Shared Services, to supposedly centralise the functions of payroll and finance, have not saved money nor saved work.

“They have in fact increased the work requirements of staff and all with only minimal temporary assistance from Government. In reality the majority of Fórsa members in the education sector have been working above their pay grades for many years,” he said.

He said the failure of the Government to negotiate on the staffing structures was “nothing more than an insult” to workers in the sector, and said political pressure was now necessary: “Whilst Education has always been a focal point for Government to hinge their election campaigns upon, the same cannot be said for their treatment of its employees in the education sector,” he said.

Delegates at the conference in Portlaoise in April backed the motion, which calls on the Education DEC to ensure continued progression of Organisational Design Phase II, to include a review of all grades and functions of an ETB.

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Fórsa’s ETB branch has called for an end to the outsourcing of administrative work in Education and Training Boards (ETBs), criticising the practice of “paying premium rates to private companies” rather than sanction the creation of sustainable local jobs.

Speaking to a conference motion on outsourcing at last month’s Education divisional conference in Portlaoise, ETB branch PRO Caitríona Tuite said the Department of Education seemed content to pay for outsourcing rather than create direct employment within ETBs.

Caitríona told delegates that outsourcing public services results in reduced and more costly services to the public. She said the practice meant abandoning the opportunity to create a structure “where staff can upskill (and) build, share and maintain sectoral knowledge, develop their careers and serve the learners in their local communities.”

The motion, backed by delegates at the conference, calls on Fórsa’s Education DEC to ensure ETBs cease the practice of outsourcing administrative work to private companies, and to ensure the use of direct employment.

Caitríona added: “We have only to look to the UK or to France to see the effects of attempts to defund and privatise public services.

“It’s unacceptable to use public monies to line the pockets of private companies when instead we should ensure that public monies are used to promote direct, local employment,” she said.

She added that, since the creation of the ETBs in 2013, no clear administrative structure had been developed by the Department of Education: “Instead the austerity measure of an ‘Employment Control Framework’ - brought in to manage the recruitment moratorium - is still being enforced in ETBs.

“It’s tying their hands in terms of recruitment and retention of administrative staff, although DEPR insist the emergency measures ceased in 2015,” she said.

Caitríona said the lack of support and structure for admin functions has resulted in the Department of Education approving the recruitment of private agency staff in the administrative grades, and outsourcing project management and other administrative processes from ETBs to private firms.

She added: “Hundreds of thousands of euros each year is spent on agency admin staff because management has refused sanction to fill the necessary posts and at the appropriate grades. The work exists and is growing daily, but we cannot get past the austerity-era employment controls in order to properly recruit and retain the required staff to run our services efficiently and effectively,” she said.  

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Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan has said newly proposed economic rules - published at the end of April by the European Commission - risk the return of austerity at a time when most EU states are still recovering from a decade lost to EU-led austerity.

Kevin, who is also the president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), said the new proposals betray a failure of the European Commission to learn from its own mistakes.

Current rules limit member state budget deficits to 3% of GDP, and debt to 60% of GDP. However, these have been suspended since 2020 in response to the economic consequences of the pandemic. The suspension is to end in 2024.

Kevin said: “These new proposals would mean that, from next year, any member state with a deficit above 3% will have to make a minimum fiscal adjustment of 0.5% of GDP per year.

“There are currently 10 member states with a deficit above 3%. It means those states will have to begin making choices about spending cuts next year. This, in turn, risks opening the way back to austerity.

“The same rules will also mean that member states cannot meet the EU’s own targets for investment in the green and digital economy. We can ill-afford a failure to meet the climate challenge, and these proposals risk doing exactly that.

“We need to face the fact that most EU states, including Ireland, are still dealing with the legacy issues of the decade lots to austerity in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis.

“The housing crisis is driving yet another generation of young Irish workers to pack their bags for better prospects outside the EU. This is a real legacy issue of the decade we lost to austerity, and is further contributing to a growing labour shortage in a number of key sectors.

“The Irish Government is literally awash with huge revenues, which are expected to grow. The Government needs to spend this money wisely, and that means investment.

“What’s needed at EU level is a ‘golden rule of public investment’, ensuring an adequate level of current spending, which would ensure that net public investment is excluded from balanced budget rules.

“By continuing to protect public investment – at a time when it’s so urgently needed - we can guard against the blood-letting approach of austerity, the legacy of which we are still tackling, despite the robust fortunes of the Irish economy.

“Equally, if over-restrictive EU rules prevent Irish governments from taking necessary action in the interests of the Irish people, it will jeopardise popular support for the entire European project. We’ve seen how damaging that can be close up.

“The Commission must learn from its past mistakes and amend these proposals before 2024,” he said.

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The next instalment of the Fórsa Skills Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ series will take place on Friday 26th May  from 1pm – 2pm, focusing on how to speak to workers about the union.

Fórsa’s Director of Strategic Organising, Orlagh Fawl, will host the hour-long virtual session, providing members with knowledge and key information to support them in their union work.

Fórsa’s Strategic Organising Department is tasked with building union power and strategies across the unions network. Among other objectives, the work of this Department focuses on the empowerment of union members and activists in finding their voice and effectively executing change in their workplaces.

In conjunction with the Skills Academy, this session will focus on “Talking about YOUR union – the why, the how and the when”, and will facilitate and encourage attendees on further appreciating the importance of engaging with co- workers on workplace topics that are important to them, the benefits of being a member of a trade union and the role of the union in effecting change in their workplaces.

Whilst these sessions are predominantly for information, there will be opportunities for participants to ask questions via the chat function.

The ‘Lunch and Learn’ series aims to give members the knowledge to support them as a union member or representative whilst supplementing the broad range of training programmes currently being offered by Skills Academy.

The virtual sessions will take place on the last Friday of very month from 1pm – 2pm, exploring different topics.

Members interested in attending should register their interest HERE.

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Fórsa’s campaigning summer series is set to return on the 26^th and 27^th June in The Hodson Bay hotel, Athlone. The two-day event will provide new and developing Fórsa activists with the training to engage in key campaigning activity.

Fórsa’s campaigning director Kevin Donoghue said the school is an important date in the union’s campaigning calendar and encouraged all members to get involved.

“This event is open to all Fórsa members especially anyone who’s involved in campaigns or has an interest in developing campaign experience. You don’t need previous experience to attend this event,” he said.

Spaces for the summer school are limited and members can register their interest HERE. 

While this event is open to all, members should discuss attendance with their branch prior to applying.

Further information on the full programme of activities will issue shortly, but if you have any questions about the application process, please contact Kevin Donoghue or Grace Williams directly at summerseries@forsa.ie.

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KennCo Insurance offer Fórsa members a special discount on their travel insurance.

Our low cost Annual Multi-Trip cover costs just €64.90 (effective 1/1/23) for Fórsa members which includes cover for your spouse/partner and dependent children.*

This Fórsa member offer covers individuals, couples and families with Travel Insurance to protect your holiday.

*Dependent children up to and including 17 years old only or if still in full time education up to and including 22 years old. Applies to individuals 70 years and under only. You must be living with your partner for at least 6 months. Terms and conditions will apply.

Main Features

• Annual Multi-trip cover
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• Cancellation & Curtailment – up to €6,000
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• Medical & Emergency Expenses – up to €10,000,000
• Personal Accident – up €30,000
• Travel Delay and Disruption – up to €6,000
• Public Liability – up to €2,500,0000
• Winter Sports & Scuba Diving Included
• Cruise cover up to €300

Terms, conditions and excesses will apply.

Get more information and a secure quote HERE. 

KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

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A new book published by Mercier press, created by the group of protesters who have been picketing the Russian embassy since February 2022, was launched last week in Dublin.

The book - We Stand with Ukraine – An anthology of Poetry, Prose and Protest – was officially launched at an event in Hodges Figgis bookshop. The book is an anthology of photographs, prose and verse written by the protesters, which includes retired public service workers, including former members of IMPACT and Fórsa.

The book was launched by playwright and author Peter Sheridan, who commended the members of the protest group for “their sterling commitment and support for Ukraine and its people.” Sheridan noted, in particular, the need for all members of society “to defend democracy and democratic values and to forge a common humanity.”

The launch was addressed by Yuriy Rubashov, counsellor with the Ukrainian embassy, on behalf of the Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland. Mr Rubashov highlighted the “honesty and genuineness” of the anthology, which he said demonstrated “great empathy and understanding for the struggles facing Ukraine.” He thanked the protesting group for all their efforts which were very much appreciated within the Ukrainian community in Ireland.

Retired Fórsa member John Farrelly spoke on behalf of the protesting group and highlighted its’ diverse, open and non-hierarchical nature: “While members might have differing views on a whole range of issues, all members share a common opposition to the criminal and illegal invasion of Ukraine by Putin and his regime,” he said.

John also invited those guests attending the launch to come and spend some time on the picket outside the Russian embassy. The launch was also treated to readings from the anthology by members of the protesting group, and to songs from Yulia Shynkarenko.

We Stand with Ukraine is available through Mercier Press and in all good bookshops. All royalties from sales go to the NGO Ukrainian Action.

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Four Day Week Ireland, in conjunction with 4 Day Week Global have issued the call for participants in the next phase of the four-day-week pilot programme.

The Fórsa backed initiative will examine the financial, social, and environmental impact that a four-day working week would have on businesses and employees in Ireland. This will be the second pilot of its kind in Ireland, and one of many globally.

The four-day-week trial is based on a 100-80-100 model where workers get 100% of their pay, for 80% of the time, in exchange for a commitment to delivering 100% of the output.

Last year, twelve Irish companies completed the programme with none returning to five days post-trial. Elsewhere, results from the UK pilot with over 60 companies and almost 3,500 workers found a remarkable increase in worker wellbeing, with 71% of participants feeling less burned out and 39% less stressed while on a four-day week. That same cohort also enjoyed impressive business outcomes, with a 57% reduction in staff turnover and a 65% reduction in sick days.

Participants in this second phase will undertake a training programme to re-evaluate how they work, ensuring maximum efficiency before embarking on the six-month trial. Organisations of all sizes from every sector are encouraged to join, where their experience will be tracked by international experts.

Last week the Local Government and Local Services Division Conference passed a motion supporting trials for a reduced working week in local authorities without a corresponding loss of pay.

Chair of Four Day Week Ireland and Fórsa’s Director of Campaigns, Kevin Donoghue welcomed the motion passed at conference saying:

“It’s great to see this motion being discussed at conference. Global trials and the pilot programme in Ireland have already concluded that there are significant benefits to reducing the working week,

The advancements in technology witnessed in recent decades means we can achieve the same level of output in a shorter timeframe, so we must ensure the benefits of this fourth industrial revolution are shared with workers. A four-day week is more than possible and long overdue.”

Kevin said that the programme hopes to see further participants in the pilot in the coming months, who will re-evaluate how they work, and reap the benefits of the new ways of work.

More information on the Four Day Week Ireland campaign can be found here.

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The European Parliament has formally adopted the Pay Transparency Directive. The formal adoption of the directive took place last month, and its provisions are likely to enter into force in most EU member states in 2026.

Under the directive EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay women and men for work of equal value, and to take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%.

Prior to the parliament’s formal adoption of the directive, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) had welcomed the suggestion - by the Minister for Equality’s office - that the scope of the European Directive on pay transparency be broadened in Ireland to ensure more employers and their workers are affected by its provisions.

These include a requirement to publish pay ranges for vacant positions, provide details of existing rates for specific roles and actively engage with workers or their representatives to address high gender pay gaps.

Commenting on the formal adoption by the EU parliament, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The formal approval for the directive by EU ministers is welcome as it does contain a number of important features to make significant improvements to pay equality measures.

“It goes further than the Irish gender pay gap reporting legislation, as it includes protection of trade union rights for women workers, ensuring they can bargain collectively for equal pay.

“It puts more wage bargaining power in the hands of workers when they are negotiating salary with a new employer. It helps tip the scales a little more for workers, which is to be welcomed,” he said.

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A recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has found that many Irish workers are lacking in the appropriate skills needed to succeed in their jobs and are unprepared for changes in the rapidly evolving world of work.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, presented the findings on Wednesday in light of the "Year of Skills", an EU initiative aimed at promoting upskilling and reskilling for workers.

The Government commissioned report highlighted that workplaces in Ireland could be better designed to stimulate the use of workers’ skills through, for example, greater focus on high-performance work practices such as work flexibility and teamwork which is strongly associated with higher levels of productivity and better business performance.

While the share of adults with a college degree in Ireland is well above average, the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Report found that participation in lifelong learning to facilitate essential upskilling falls far behind the top EU performers.

The report also highlights the critical challenges facing Ireland's skills ecosystem and the need for a significant leap forward to address these issues. It found that employers have grave concerns about skills and shortages in areas such as digital, STEM, and management, and highlighted that workers with low levels of education, women, and people with disabilities should have their skills better utilised in the labour market.

The report suggests that Irish workplaces could be better structured to stimulate the use of workers' skills and calls for stronger management capability among Ireland's SMEs. The OECD highlights the need for a joined-up, all-of-Government approach to help govern Ireland's complex skills system.

Speaking on the publication, Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan said that the report reinforced the unions position on the future of work.

“We have one of the most educated workforces in Europe, but the report indicates an out-dated model of work in place across the country. There are huge opportunities for employers to build a better work model for its employees. The four-day-week is a proven example of how you can utilise a staff’s skillset to the full while lowering stress and improving wellbeing. It is down to Government to engage with unions, employers, and employees to ensure our workforce are not left behind by the rest of Europe,” he said.

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The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has urged politicians across all parties to prioritise the implementation of auto-enrolment legislation, following the publication of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection's pre-legislative review of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill.

Fórsa and other unions have repeatedly called for the quick implementation of longstanding plans for auto-enrolment as most people who do not have a pension have indicated that the State pension would be their main source of income on retirement.

Auto-enrolment aims to increase the number of people who have occupational pensions by making it compulsory to join a scheme based on contributions from the worker, the State and the employer.

The Pensions Authority's activity figures for 2022 found a decline in the number of workers covered by private sector occupational pensions, despite the growing workforce.

Two-thirds of current private sector workers do not have a company pension and could experience a significant decrease in their standard of living during retirement as the State Pension is paid at a fixed rate of €253.30 per week.

General Secretary of ICTU Owen Reidy stressed the urgency of introducing a mandatory pay-related pension savings scheme that would improve income adequacy in retirement.

“The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has long pointed out that our voluntary approach to occupational pensions is not working and called for concrete action to address the alarmingly low pensions coverage,” he said.

He urged politicians to work together to get the legislation passed.

“Politicians have been talking about introducing a mandatory pay-related pensions saving scheme longer than they have been talking about increasing the pension age. Now that we are finally within touching distance of making income adequacy in retirement a reality for workers, it is imperative that all politicians work together to get the legislation passed. We cannot allow this Bill to fall if an election is called in 2024,” he said.

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