A ballot of members closed last Friday 3rd October, with members voting to approve a new collective labour agreement for Search and Rescue (SAR) technical crew in Bristow Ireland Ltd. 

Negotiations and mediation had been ongoing for several months between Fórsa IAESA members and Bristow.   

Bristow took over the operation of the Irish Coast Guard’s search and rescue service in 2023. In early 2024, Fórsa and IALPA reached agreement with Bristow establishing union recognition for collective bargaining purposes. 

Fórsa official Eugene Gargan said: “After Bristow became the search and rescue operator for the Irish Coast Guard, there were changes to roles and duties for technical crew, who must now maintain a 24-hour presence at the bases. This significantly altered their working terms and conditions, which had been originally established with the previous operator.” 

“The branch identified the issues and together we’ve been working to resolve a number of key matters. This new CLA, backed by members, now sets out clear solutions and will give workers confidence that their terms and conditions are protected.”  

These issues include career progression for winchman to winch-operators, the establishment of a joint roster working group, and annual leave guidelines. 

Eugene continued: “We also agreed a draft employment contract and a new overnight allowance for anyone who has to stay on base for 24 hours.” 

Members had identified the extension of the roster control period as a critical issue, and following extensive negotiation, an agreement on this is included in the new CLA. 

The roster control period will now be extended from 28 days to 56 days, with publication no later than 56 days in advance. 

Bristow has also agreed to trial a new shift pattern where no more than 14 shifts will be rostered in the new, longer roster control period, with the norm being 13 shifts of 24 hours.  Other concerns relating to annual leave, training and release for union duties have all been addressed.   

SAR technical crew rep Derek Everitt said: “This new CLA is the result of a lot of work by many members, and now that it has been approved, we’re confident workers will benefit from the provisions within it.” 

Head of the services and enterprises division Katie Morgan said: “Technical staff play a vital role in the safe operation of our search and rescue services. It has been a difficult time for members who have faced significant changes throughout the transition to the new operator.” 

“This new agreement will provide certainty to members on their working conditions and address matters that have been ongoing for some time. It is a credit to our members’ solidarity and resolve throughout the negotiation process.”