Fórsa is to commence a ballot on the new public sector pay deal later this month. If the deal is ratified, the new pay terms will affect most members of the union, as it will apply to workers employed directly by the State in public services and state agencies.
The union’s National Executive Committee (NEC), made up of elected members of Fórsa from the union’s various sectoral divisions, met last week and unanimously recommended acceptance of the terms of the deal in the forthcoming ballot.
The union is now making arrangements for a series of member information meetings in advance of the ballot, which is set to commence on 19th February.
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said union members ultimately decide whether to back the new agreement through the national ballot: “Fórsa is a member-led organisation and, in all matters of policy, it is the members who have the last word.
“The union’s executive backed the terms of the deal, and its recommendation is based on the understanding that the pay terms represent the absolute maximum achievable through negotiations at this time, and that it is the outcome of a challenging negotiations process,” he said.
The previous public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, expired on 31st December 2023. The proposed new deal covers the period from 1st January 2024 to 30th June 2026.
The 19 unions affiliated to the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), have until Monday 25th March to complete ballots of their members. If the deal is ratified by an aggregate ballot of the PSC it would provide the following pay terms:
2024
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2.25% or €1,125, whichever is greater, from 1st January 2024
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1st June 2024
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1st October 2024.
2025
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 2% or €1,000, whichever is greater, on 1st March 2025
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1st August 2025
- The first phase of local bargaining of 1% on 1st September 20225
2026
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1st February 2026
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% on 1st June 2026.
The pay proposals are estimated to be worth up to 17.3% for lower paid workers. This is because the flat-rate elements of the pay deal are worth more to public servants earning below €50k per annum. The benefit is greater for incomes below this level of salary.
If the proposed agreement is accepted, unions will not be able to lodge any ‘cost-increasing’ claims for improvements in pay or conditions during the lifetime of the agreement. However, there are specific provisions for local bargaining, which would allow trade unions to negotiate up to an additional 3% of pay costs, inclusive of allowances, for particular grades, groups or categories of employee.
For more information about the new agreement please visit our dedicated ballot hub.
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