Fórsa met with the Land Development Agency (LDA) at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for the first time this week, marking progress for the union’s ongoing campaign to secure recognition and collective bargaining rights at the state body.

The meeting took place on Monday 21st July. The LDA had earlier refused to engage with the union or permit access to its staff. 

While no substantive agreement has yet been reached, Fórsa's head of services and enterprises, Katie Morgan, said the meeting was a “welcome step forward,” and confirmed that the union is scheduled to return to the WRC with the LDA on 1st September next. 

She commented: “This initial engagement is important. That the LDA has now participated in a conciliation process is a breakthrough. We’ve made it clear that we’re ready to negotiate in good faith, and we expect the same from a public body in receipt of substantial state funds.” 

Fórsa has consistently called out the LDA’s refusal to recognise the union or engage in collective bargaining on behalf of its staff, who are currently forced to meet union officials off-site. 

Katie previously told Fórsa’s divisional conference that the agency’s stance was “out of step” with modern public service standards, and with the Government’s commitment to promoting collective bargaining. 

She pointed to successful breakthroughs in similarly hostile environments, and said Fórsa will continue to organise and support LDA staff until their right to union representation is fully vindicated. 

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