Articles A
Fórsa wins improved bereavement leave for SNAs
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has successfully negotiated increases in the amount of bereavement leave available to special needs assistants (SNAs).


Fórsa has successfully negotiated increases in the amount of bereavement leave available to special needs assistants (SNAs).

 

Under the newly conceded agreement, SNAs will be now be entitled to 20 days paid leave if they lose a close family member such as a spouse or a child.

 

Further, they will also be entitled to five days paid leave if they lose a parent, sibling, grandparent or grandchild. And one day’s paid leave on the loss of an aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.

 

These new entitlements will be contained in a Circular to be issued by the Department on Monday, 12th December, with the same provisions applying for both Teachers and SNAs.

 

Fórsa’s Head of Education Andy Pike said that it had taken “a long time” to negotiate these improvements.

 

“Fórsa first lodged this claim in 2019 and we had to persevere and overcome numerous obstacles placed in our way in order to achieve this outcome

 

“This new leave entitlement ensures that if an SNA experiences a bereavement they can avail of the same leave entitlements as colleagues in other public services,” said Andy.

 

“These new entitlements will also apply to our members in Higher Education and the Education and Training Boards where separate Circulars will issue over the coming weeks,” he added.

 

Fórsa will also be seeking the application of these new entitlements for other staff groups such as School Secretaries and Caretakers, as well as members in the School Completion Programme.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

72 hours and June obligations top of negotiating agenda
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has called for the abolition of the 72 hours and June obligations in the ongoing Special Needs Assistants’ (SNA) contract review discussions.


Fórsa has called for the abolition of the 72 hours and June obligations in the ongoing Special Needs Assistants’ (SNA) contract review discussions.

 

Following on from the initial contract review meeting in October, the union made an official submission to the Department, with details of the items it would like to see properly addressed.

 

The union says it has compelling evidence that the 72 Hours obligation is being widely misused by many schools.

 

Fórsa official Shane Lambert who is representing the union in the discussions said, “Whilst we have much historical evidence that the hours have been openly abused and SNAs are regularly requested to do duties that would not be appropriate to their role or related to SEN provision, the issue took a renewed prevalence during the pandemic.”

 

The union had previously requested a pause of the hours during the worst period of Covid when case numbers were spiralling, death rates were increasing and there was no vaccine protection.

 

Fórsa says the Department’s subsequent dismissal of this request remained at odds with the provisions of the agreed circular and only served to exasperate the issue to where it is today, with schools believing the hours are compulsory and must be completed.

 

“It has led to a situation where there is no real consideration to how best to utilise the hours for the benefit of supporting students with additional care needs,” said Shane.

 

The union says SNAs are being asked to take on duties that are not appropriate to them, and are instead used to displace work that should have been undertaken by secretaries, caretakers or cleaners.

 

Fórsa says the hours could have been better utilised for appropriate items such as the UCD training course, but there was no encouragement to do so by the employers.

 

The union’s official submission states that the constant issues with the hours highlighted that local employers cannot be left to use them appropriately and as such, they must be removed in totality.

 

“It is unfair to expect SNAs to continue to undertake the obligation which was introduced under the Croke Park Agreement amid the recession, when all other recession measures have been withdrawn, which has seen the most senior civil and public servants have their working time reduced from July 1st this year, including Department officials,” the union said.

 

Fórsa says the obligation in respect of post-primary staff for attendance in the month of June has also caused significant concerns which appear to increase year on year, much in the same vein as the issues experienced on 72 Hours.

 

In circumstances whereby there are no students with additional care needs on-site in June and where there is no suitable work for SNAs, there are consistent examples of staff being assigned inappropriate and sometimes deeming tasks which fall outside the remit of the statutory framework for allocating SNAs.

 

The union says these obligations and their evidenced misuse serves as a barrier to staff development which, as it stands, must invariably be undertaken by the SNAs themselves in addition to these block of hours and work.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Several key issues outlined for SNA contract review
by Mehak Dugal
 

Fórsa has outlined several important issues to be addressed as formal discussions progress on the review of the SNA contract.


Fórsa has outlined several important issues to be addressed as formal discussions progress on the review of the SNA contract.

 

Following on from the initial contract review meeting in October, the union made a submission to the Department with details of the items it would like to see properly addressed.

 

In its submission, Fórsa said it believed there was no longer any legitimate rationale to retain the current model of the SNA redundancy scheme and subsequent model of allocations.

 

The union said SNAs endured hardships, angst and difficulty year on year, while waiting for the allocations to be announced and figure out whether they have a job for the coming year.

 

“The pain has been further exasperated by the announcement on allocations becoming later and later, leading to significant frustration and stress. This is likely to be particularly pronounced now that we have had to contend with several years where allocations were frozen on foot of the pandemic,” the union’s document stated.

 

Fórsa maintains that the current allocation system is no longer fit for purpose and it would like to see a robust transfer scheme put in place.

 

Fórsa official Shane Lambert who is leading these discussions for the union said this would allow an SNA who is deemed to be no longer required in the location they are presently employed, to transfer to another school within a particular geographical radius, without the need for further interview or to recommence their employment status again as schools are associated employers, with the Department as the common paymaster.

 

Shane pointed to such a system already being in place in ETBs without any issue at all.

 

Further, the union said it was essential to also review the minimum education qualification for SNA’s to properly conduct a robust review of the contract.

 

“When any employer is designing a contract, the spine or core of that process will be based on the qualifications required for the role and the level of responsibility it holds”, Fórsa said in its submission.

 

The qualifications have not been reviewed in some 43 years, having been set in 1979. But special education and the roles and responsibilities of an SNA have evolved exponentially since.

 

Shane said the outdated qualification fails to appropriately reflect the role and responsibilities of staff supporting children with special educational needs.

 

“Consistent recruitment evidence demonstrates that the reality is schools recruit SNAs with much greater qualifications than the current minimum entry requirements. We believe it imperative for this to be completed as part of the review, to ensure the viability of any outcome.

 

“The qualification and the contract must appropriately reflect the complexities of the role and the responsibilities it holds, going forward and it is impossible to do either in isolation,” he said.

 

Fórsa also said there was a serious need to tighten and clarify the provisions in the contract regarding appropriate work.

 

The union said it was all too common to receive reports of SNAs being asked to undertake duties that are not appropriate to the role of the SNA.

 

Separately, Fórsa also asked for a clarification to be made on break times for SNAs, the union says the existing contract is ambiguous and does not specify how the terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act will be met.

 

Shane said this creates difficulty in workplaces where SNAs receive less break entitlements than teaching colleagues and are openly treated unfairly.

 

“SNAs are public servants and should not be precluded from benefits enjoyed by colleagues across the wider public service,” he said.

 

The union said while it will present the best-case arguments for all the issues outlined and try to get commitments to address them, the discussions have to be realistic and don’t necessarily mean a positive outcome is guaranteed.

 

The union will be issuing the comprehensive submission to branches in the near future. The full document outlines the entire range of issues officials have raised in these initial discussions.

 

Further updates will also be issued to members as these talks progress.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa calls for reproductive leave
by Roisin McKane
 

Fórsa is supporting a Bill calling for the introduction of a reproductive health leave scheme to support members managing early pregnancy loss, fertility treatments and other reproductive health related matters.


Fórsa is supporting a Bill calling for the introduction of a reproductive health leave scheme to support members managing early pregnancy loss, fertility treatments and other reproductive health related matters.

 

If enacted, the Reproductive Health Leave Bill would provide an entitlement to reproductive leave of up to 20 days for women who suffer an early miscarriage, and up to 10 days leave for any employee to take time off work for reproductive health reasons.

 

Fórsa national secretary and equality officer Ashley Connolly said that for far too long, both women and men have had to remain silent in their workplaces about the grief of pregnancy loss or reproductive health matters.

 

“We know our members are using sick leave and annual leave to try to manage reproductive health issues, causing unnecessary stress and anxiety.

 

"This is a workplace issue, and the legislation would afford empathy and dignity to those going through this experience, supporting workers when they need it the most,” she said.

 

Last May, delegates at Fórsa’s national conference unanimously backed a motion in support of reproductive health leave.

 

While there were early signs from Government that they would support the scheme, no further progress has been made, despite the ongoing efforts of Senator Marie Sherlock.

 

The Labour Party is now calling for an amendment to the Government’s Work Life Balance Bill to introduce this much-needed measure as a matter of urgency and has established a petition to show support for the change in statute. 

 

Ashley called on government to fast track this vital piece of legislation to bring fairness to the workplace for all workers.

 

“It is crucially important to provide leave when it matters most and change how we think about reproductive healthcare in Ireland,” she said.

 

To learn more about the Labour Party’s work on this matter, click here.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Victory for school secretary
by Mark Corcoran
 

Fórsa successfully represented a school secretary based in a school in Munster, who was being pressurised to sign a contract which would have enshrined a retirement age of 66, without any objective justification for same.


Fórsa successfully represented a school secretary based in a school in Munster, who was being pressurised to sign a contract which would have enshrined a retirement age of 66, without any objective justification for same.

 

This would have effectively led to the dismissal of the secretary who was already above the age of 66.

 

Official Gary Honer secured a contract of indefinite duration for the member following intense negotiations. This alleviated the school’s concerns, removed the retirement provisions, and ensured there was no discrimination on age grounds.

 

Gary said that it was an intense meeting in which the school had entrenched views.

 

“The school were using a proforma contract that was cut and pasted from a management body website which had various inaccuracies and exacerbated the issues for the member we were representing,” he explained.

 

Gary reminded school management of their duties as both patron and school manager.

 

“I also brought up various recent WRC cases which found in favour of employees in similar cases. Thankfully the school changed their mind, and a contract of indefinite duration was put to the member,” he said.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Statutory Sick Pay scheme from 1st January
by Niall Shanahan
 

The Commencement Order for the Sick Leave Act 2022 was signed last week (29th November) by the Tánaiste, and Minister for of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.


The Commencement Order for the Sick Leave Act 2022 was signed last week (29th November) by the Tánaiste, and Minister for of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.

 

This means a new entitlement to paid sick leave from an employer is scheduled to come into effect in the New Year. Previously, no legal right existed to be paid while someone is on sick leave from work.

 

Most Fórsa members are already covered by the public service sick pay scheme, while the new scheme will see many Fórsa members working in the private sector afforded greater protection.

 

A campaign launched by ICTU in 2020, for legislation to make sick pay mandatory, won cross-party support and widespread public support.

 

ICTU’s head of social policy and employment affairs Laura Bambrick commented: “Up to now, Irish employment law did not require employers to pay their staff when absent due to illness or injury. Sick pay was treated as a perk of the job that employers could decide whether or not to include in a contract of employment.

 

“As a result, half of the workforce, over one million employees, are not covered for paid sick leave in their terms and conditions. The outbreak of Covid-19 clusters in meat processing plants among low wage essential workers put our failed voluntary approach to sick pay under the spotlight,” she said.

 

From 1st January 2023, workers will have a right to:

  • Paid sick leave for up to three sick days per year, increasing to five days in 2024, seven days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026
  • A rate of payment for statutory sick leave of 70% of normal wages to be paid by employers (up to a maximum €110 per day)
  • Take a complaint to the WRC where they are not provided with a company sick pay scheme.

To be entitled to paid sick leave under the new scheme, an employee must be working for an employer for at least 13 weeks and will also need to be certified by a GP as unfit to work.

 

Announcing the implementation of the new scheme, the Tánaiste said it is a valuable public health measure, reducing the risk of workplace accidents and the likelihood of infectious disease transmission in the workplace.

 

He added that Ireland had been an outlier among developed countries in not providing for statutory paid sick leave: “The Sick Leave Act 2022 changes that and ensures that employees will have an entitlement to paid sick leave. It will be of greatest benefit to lower paid workers, many of whom cannot afford to miss work currently. We do not want people to feel they have to go to work when they are sick, for fear of loss of income," he said.

 

The legislation sets out the minimum standard that an employer must provide. The Tánaiste said it will not prevent employers having superior sick pay schemes of their own to attract and retain staff, or on foot of an agreement with a trade union.

 

See also: Everything you need to know about sick pay on the Congress website.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa’s year of donations
by Mark Corcoran
 

Fórsa has donated over half a million euros to charities and organisations across the globe this year.


Fórsa has donated over half a million euros to charities and organisations across the globe this year.

 

Through members' support, Fórsa has been able to provide life-changing aid, funding, and support to those who need it most.

 

We want to thank everyone who has put time, effort and hard work into the fundraising that has taken place. Here’s a look at some of the charities and organisations that Fórsa and its members have supported through the year:

  • Lajee to Ireland Cultural Tour 2022
  • Sligo Samaritans
  • Earth's Edge Kilimanjaro Fundraiser 2022
  • Cost of Living Coalition Donation
  • Irelanders Club
  • Migrants Rights Centre
  • Migrant Rights

The biggest contribution our members and branches made this year was to the Fórsa Ukraine appeal. As trade union members we know the value and importance of meaningful solidarity. The union came together in response to the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and in their time of need raised €500,000, to be split equally between the Irish Red Cross and a special trade union solidarity fund.

 

Fórsa’s climbers took on a charity climb of Kilimanjaro in August this year, after two postponements and three years of organising. The team managed to raise an incredible €20,000 which was given to the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project.

 

As 2022 draws to a close keep a look out on our socials for more donation announcements and the Toys for Temple Street campaign.

 

Fórsa President Michael Smyth said the union is extremely grateful to branches for their wonderful contributions and praised union members for their generosity.

Unions, employers and Government consider economic outlook
by Niall Shanahan
 

ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led the trade union delegation at Monday’s meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum, the first meeting of its kind to take place since September’s Budget.


ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led the trade union delegation at Monday’s meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), the first meeting of its kind to take place since September’s Budget.

 

The LEEF meets approximately four times a year and brings together senior Government, trade union and employer representatives to discuss economic, employment and labour market issues.

 

The parties met on Monday as reports emerged that corporate tax receipts for the year are now likely to surpass the Department of Finance’s own forecasts, and hit a record €23 billion for 2022.

 

The LEEF was chaired on Monday by outgoing Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was also present, while transport Minister Eamon Ryan acknowledged that union representations at the September meeting of the LEEF had a significant influence on the Government’s budgetary approach this year.

 

Kevin said the meeting provided an opportunity to press the case for deepening social dialogue: “Looking ahead to 2023, it’s clear that there will be considerable challenges.

 

“Unions and employers have separately made the case for deeper social dialogue indeed a new social compact, in order to better equip ourselves for the challenges the country is facing.

 

“Not least of these is the continuing housing crisis, which is having a tangible, and very destructive, knock-on effect on recruitment in education, health and across the private sector.

 

“We also face added pressures on health services, we need to respond effectively on climate measures, and there’s continuing uncertainty because of the situation in Ukraine.

 

“We made the case to the Government this week that those challenges demand a shared idea of what policies are necessary to meet them, and that closer cooperation would lead to more successful outcomes,” he said.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today. 

Feature Article
Toys for Temple Street
by Róisín McKane
 

Fórsa is calling on branches to support the union’s annual toy appeal for Temple Street Children’s Hospital, which is located next to the union’s head office in Dublin.


Fórsa is calling on branches to support the union’s annual toy appeal for Temple Street Children’s Hospital, which is located next to the union’s head office in Dublin.

 

It’s a proud Fórsa tradition to collect items for this worthy cause and donate them to Nerney’s Court’s nearest neighbours, making a real difference to children’s lives at this special time of year.

 

You can donate to the Fórsa collection by posting a suitable unwrapped new toy to the following address: Fórsa Toy Appeal, Fórsa Trade Union, Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1. Alternatively, you can drop your contribution into the print room of Nerney’s Court, behind reception.

 

In previous years, Smyth’s Toys and One 4 All vouchers proved popular with both donors and the hospital, and the Children’s Health Foundation is especially anxious to encourage vouchers once again.

 

All presents must arrive on or before this next Friday afternoon (16th December), and this year’s organisers have asked people to give special consideration to teenagers when donating.

 

For a list of suitable gifts, click here

 

If you have any questions, contact kdonoghue@forsa.ie or jcooper@forsa.ie.

 

 

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

Also in this issue
Accreditation of SNA training a ‘first step’ to SNA professionalisation
by Niall Shanahan
 

Fórsa welcomed the announcement yesterday (Thursday) by the Department of Education, to accredit the UCD National SNA Training Programme as a Level 6 Special Purpose Award.

 

The union represents more than 12,000 SNAs nationwide.

 

Fórsa’s head of Education Andy Pike said: “The decision to accredit the training at level 6 meets the terms sought by Fórsa since 2020. It also delivers on the commitment to accredit the course secured by Fórsa and confirmed at the hearing with the Dáil Joint Education Committee in June of this year.”

 

Andy said some 1,300 SNAs have completed the programme to date, which has been positively received throughout the sector.

 

He added: “The aim is to enrol a total of 3,500 SNAs over the four years of the programme up to the end of 2025. The Department has confirmed that UCD is now considering how those SNAs who’ve completed the programme, will have their award accredited retrospectively.

 

“The Department has also confirmed a commitment to provide further appropriate training and professional development opportunities for SNAs,” he said.

 

Andy said that when the union had first requested accreditation of the new SNA Training Programme, it was told it could never happen: “We were told that 3 ‘D’ grade passes in the Junior Certificate was indeed the appropriate qualification for SNAs.

 

“Thanks to the #RespectforSNAs campaign we’ve achieved this significant breakthrough. It’s the first time the Department of Education has recognised the need for a formal qualification for the 20,000 SNAs working with students across the school sector. The accreditation of the course establishes the necessary momentum to review and change the minimum essential qualification to become an SNA,” he said.

 

Andy said the union would continue to campaign to secure a new entry qualification, and said exploratory discussions on new CPD (continuing professional development) arrangements for SNAs will open shortly.

 

He added: “We’re very pleased that all the SNAs who have completed the programme will now receive a proper academic award from UCD and we await details from the School of Education on how this will work.

 

“It’s a very significant day for Ireland’s SNAs who, as a group, have taken the first step towards proper recognition and professionalisation of their role. Fórsa members really worked hard to achieve this change. We will now secure the necessary changes to the entry qualification, and hope to be able to deliver a new and improved SNA contract next year.”

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Cornmarket: Free health insurance webinar
by Róisín McKane
 

Fórsa members can tune in to a free health insurance webinar next Tuesday, hosted by Cornmarket exclusively for the union.

 

The final session of the year will take place at noon on Tursday 13th December.

 

The online session will offer guidance on all aspects of health insurance and advise how you can save money on your plan. Ireland’s leading health insurance guru Dermot Goode will also be on hand to offer advice and answer your questions.

 

Registration for the event is free and can be accessed HERE.

 

To find our more information on Cornmarket and the services they provide, click 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.

 

 

 

Esther elected to top ETUC job
by Niall Shanahan
 

Former Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) official, Esther Lynch has been elected general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

 

The ETUC represents 45 million members from 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, speaking with a single voice on behalf of European workers to have a stronger say in EU decision-making.

 

Esther has served as the ETUC’s deputy general secretary since 2019, following four years as confederal secretary, and served as ICTU’s Legislation and Social Affairs officer for a number of years prior to her move to Europe. As a staff member of ICTU Esther was also a member of Fórsa, and still proudly refers to Fórsa as her union.

 

ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the ETUC will benefit from Esther’s considerable policy experience: “Esther is a passionate trade unionist, a person of enormous empathy and understanding when it comes to workers’ concerns, and has a formidable skill and intellect for good policy development.

 

“Her legacy in Ireland includes considerable work on legislation to protect whistle-blowers, and legislation to create a transparent register of lobbyists. The ETUC is in very good hands, and I wish Esther every success in her new role,” he said.

 

ICTU General Secretary, Owen Reidy added: “The trade union movement in Europe has a formidable champion of workers’ rights at the helm, and it’s a proud moment for the Irish trade union movement.

 

“Now, more than ever, we need strong voices speaking on behalf of and protecting the rights of European workers in EU decision-making. I wish Esther well as she takes on her new responsibilities and she has ICTU’s full support,” he said.

 

Elected as a shop steward in the 1980s, Esther developed extensive trade union experience at Irish, European, and international levels. Her work with ICTU included negotiations on Ireland’s national social partner agreements.

 

Esther’s responsibilities in her new post include social dialogue, collective bargaining and wage policy, trade union rights, gender equality and Brexit.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Palestine anti-apartheid campaign welcomed
by Mark Corcoran
 

Fórsa has welcomed the launch of a campaign calling for the end of Israeli apartheid against Palestine.

 

The campaign, organised by a coalition made up of sixteen civil society organisations, including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), has committed to working collaboratively to end Israeli apartheid against Palestinians.

 

The group has pledged to engage with Irish public and political representatives regarding the atrocities in Palestine, and to build political support for effective measures by Ireland and the international community to condemn Israel’s actions, to end the crime of apartheid against Palestinians.

 

Fórsa officials Denis Keane welcomed the launch of the campaign, noting the work Fórsa continues to do to help with the injustices in Palestine:

 

“We’d like to welcome the establishment of the Irish anti–apartheid campaign for Palestine. We see this as a continuation of our work and pledge to help and work alongside our sister trade unions and ICTU in this campaign.

 

“Fórsa continues to work in groups such as the Trade Union Friends of Palestine and the European Trade Union Network for Justice in Palestine and will continue to support the people of Palestine through these groups.” he said.

 

The launch of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Coalition, coincided with the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The Palestinian Human Rights Organisations Council (PHROC) welcomed the campaign calling for a ‘world-wide movement’ to challenge these injustices:

 

“Israel has created a regime of institutionalised racial discrimination against the Palestinian people between the river Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a regime of apartheid the purpose of which is to deny the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including millions of Palestinian refugees.

 

"Its aim is to fragment and isolate us, to imprison us in bantustan-like enclaves, to steal our wealth, to remove us from our homeland, and to deny our right to self-determination. A new world-wide movement is emerging to challenge these injustices. We congratulate Ireland for, once again, being at the forefront of the movement to end apartheid as it has done in the past.”

 

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

 

A fond farewell to Ann McGee
by Niall Shanahan
 

This week Fórsa bid a very fond farewell to former union president Ann McGee as she finished her work with the union’s strategic organising team to take up a post with Siptu.

 

Ann’s final day as an organiser with Fórsa was on Monday (5th December). Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan led the tributes to Ann, commending her “unique and extraordinary contribution to the development of Fórsa.”

 

Kevin added: “Since the creation of Fórsa Ann has served as joint president, and as president from May 2018. She became a member of the union staff, working as an organiser, in July 2021.

 

“On behalf of Fórsa I want to wish Ann every success in her new role, and I look forward to a continued excellent working relationship with her.”

 

NEC member Jean Taylor paid tribute to “Our fabulous colleague, former president, social protection employee and all-round fabulous person.”

 

Jean said Ann would be deeply missed by her former colleagues: “Fórsa’s loss is Siptu’s gain,” she said.

 

Fórsa’s director of strategic organising Orlagh Fawl said Ann’s main focus throughout her trade union career has been on the union’s members: “As president Ann made it her business to meet every union branch and to engage directly with union members as much as possible. Her approach as an organiser has been similarly focused on members’ needs.

 

“Ann is driven by a strong motivation to improve the working lives of members, and I know she will carry that drive and passion into her new role in Siptu. Above all, she has been a great friend to all who knew her in Fórsa, and we will miss her,” she said.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Castlebar tops remote work towns
by Niall Shanahan
 

Castlebar, County Mayo has emerged as the best place to work from home in Ireland, followed closely by Leixlip (Co Kildare) Navan (Co Meath) Galway and Longford.

 

The study, by consumer price comparison website Switcher.ie, considered a number of factors in identifying the best locations for remote work, including broadband speeds, housing costs, green spaces and schools. 

 

The Government agreed last month to scrap its draft ‘Right to Request Remote Working’ Bill - described as “fatally flawed” by Fórsa and ICTU and instead deliver the new Bill, currently making its way through the Oireachtas.

 

ICTU’s head of social policy and employment affairs Laura Bambrick says the new Work Life Balance Bill is expected to bring Ireland in line with other European countries’ remote work policies.

 

She added: “The Bill passed through the Dáil late on Wednesday night (7th December) and will now proceed to the Seanad for debate. However, the Seanad goes into its Christmas recess next week, so the Bill is not now expected to be passed into law before the end of the year as planned.”

 

The new Work Life Balance Bill, which will bring Ireland in line with other European countries’ remote work policies, is expected by the end of the year.

 

A survey of 8,400 workers published by NUIG in April  revealed that of those who could work remotely, 52% were currently working hybrid, 40% fully remotely, and only 8% were fully on-site. 

 

The remaining towns in the remote working top ten, identified by the Switcher.ie study, were Gorey (Co Wexford), Clonmel (Co Tipperary), Mallow (Co Cork), Portmarnock (Dublin) and Sligo.

 

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

4DW trial is a resounding success
by Mark Corcoran
 

The results of Ireland’s first coordinated reduced worktime trial have been a resounding success, with 100% of employees who participated in the four-day-week pilot indicating a preference for a reduced work schedule.

Backed by Fórsa and carried out in partnership by Four-Day Week Ireland, University College Dublin (UCD), and Boston College, the project examined the financial, social, and environmental impact of a four-day working week on businesses and employees in Ireland.

General Secretary of Fórsa, Kevin Callinan welcomed the research and highlighted the potential for a better future for workers:

“The four-day-week is an example of how a concept that many have questioned, can genuinely improve the future for workers. The research presented today highlights the need for a more balanced work-life schedule.

“In today’s working world there’s a mismatch between the amount of time we spend working and the time we spend with our families and friends. The four-day week can be at the forefront of a new age of work, providing transformative social benefits without losing pay or productivity,”

Kevin also noted the opportunity to see similar trials introduced across the public sector:

“Previously, Fórsa engaged with Minister Michael McGrath and other Government officials urging them to take part in these trials.

“With a 100% success rate among employees and other positive metrics shown, there is no reason why a similar trail cannot be tested among certain areas of the public sector.”

 Research findings

Some of the key company findings from the research included:

  • Four organisations tracked company industry-specific productivity metrics, and all observed improvements
  • Seven companies provided data on revenue. Six out of seven companies reported their monthly revenue growth, with one seeing a decline
  • Nine of the12 companies are committed to continuing with the four-day-week schedule. The other three are also planning to continue but have not committed to continuing long-term yet
  • Both companies that tracked energy usage found reductions.

The research also looked at the impact the four-day week had on employees and found significant improvements in life satisfaction and a range of wellbeing outcomes.

Some of the key employee findings included:

  • 100% of employees would like to continue a reduced work schedule
  • There were significant improvements across a wide range of well-being metrics, including positive affect, work-family and work-life balance, and several domains of life satisfaction
  • Stress, burnout, fatigue, and work-family conflict significantly declined
  • Average sleep time increased from 7.02 hours a night to 7.72 hours
  • Time doing hobbies (including exercise) grew by 36 minutes a week on average
  • There was an increase across three forms of pro-environmental behaviour: activities (recycling, buying eco-friendly, walking & cycling over driving), education (encouraging others and educating oneself about the environment) and volunteering
  • The trial was particularly successful for women. They reported a significantly greater improvement in life satisfaction, had larger gains in sleep time, and reported feeling more secure in their employment.

Chair of Four-Day Week Ireland and head of campaigns at Fórsa, Kevin Donoghue said that the report shows that the benefits of a reduced working week can be felt across all stakeholder groups.

“We are glad to be able to share the success of this trial through the launch of the report this morning and look forward to working towards making the four-day week the norm in Irish society,” he said.

You can read the full report and its findings here.