Fórsa members are being encouraged to share their views on the new public consultation on collective bargaining launched by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, earlier this week.  

The consultation is set to gather views from all relevant stakeholders in relation to Ireland’s national action plan on collective bargaining which should outline how Ireland can progressively increase and promote collective bargaining.  

Fórsa will make a submission on behalf of our members to the consultation, and we are encouraging members to also put forward submissions.  

Your input will play a key role in shaping the Government’s action plan to promote collective bargaining under the terms of the EU Adequate Minimum Wages (AMW) directive. 

To guide members as they navigate the submission process, Fórsa will host an online event on this public consultation on Thursday 1st May. This lunchtime session and will feature contributions from Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) general secretary Owen Reidy and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan.  

You can register for our webinar here.  

The Department has already received proposals for possible inclusion in Ireland’s action plan through the recommendations arising from the Final Report of the LEEF High Level Group on Collective Bargaining. The High-Level Working Group was formed in March 2021, and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan was one of the three union representatives to participate in the group. It was established to review the collective bargaining landscape in Ireland and to make recommendations for improvement.  

Reflecting on its importance, Kevin stated: “The report was the result of significant work, and it should be implemented in full, not left to gather dust”. 

This consultation presents an important opportunity for workers to shape the future of working life in Ireland.  

The EU AMW Directive instructs member states with less than 80% collective bargaining coverage to set out a plan to progressively increase and promote collective bargaining, and this consultation is a great opportunity to get involved and make your views heard. 

Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan said: “The EU Adequate Minimum Wages directive is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in recent history. Ireland is an outlier in Europe with weak legislation and a broken industrial relations structure that needs to be fixed as part of this process.  

“Fórsa members know all too well the impact of the voluntarist system on the fight for recognition and collective bargaining. We only have to look back to the recognition disputes with Ryanair and Emerald Airlines for examples of when workers were forced to take industrial action to show their power and gain recognition.” 

“Today, we are still fighting with employers who refuse to recognise the union. This is unacceptable in the 21st century and can no longer continue. This consultation provides us with a chance to tell government what needs to change. It is incumbent on all of us to create an action plan that fixes our broken industrial relations system.”  

Fórsa's director of campaigns, Kevin Donoghue, stressed the importance of member participation in the consultation. “We have a real chance to push for change together and ensure trade union members have a seat at the table now and in the future,” he said.  

“This is not only an opportunity to strengthen collective bargaining rights for Irish workers but to demand better protections and greater levels of coverage across the economy. This is your chance to influence that change so don’t miss it. If you stay silent, others will decide for you.” 

You can make your submission using the following form: Public consultation on Ireland's Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining.

Please ensure your submission is sent by close of business on Monday 12th May 2025. 

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