Fórsa’s claim for civil service bereavement leave arrangements to be extended to staff in schools, higher education and education and training boards (ETBs) is set for further discussions in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

This follows a recent meeting of the education oversight group, where Fórsa and other unions highlighted the education department’s failure to progress the matter.

The department had previously conceded the union claim for the application of 20 days’ leave on the loss of a close family member, and said they were then to open discussions with teaching unions to ensure the policy could be implemented across the education sector.

But, following a lack of progress on the matter, it was agreed to reconvene the WRC conciliation process where it will be open to the unions to refer the claim to the Labour Court if necessary.

The head of Fórsa’s Education Division, Andy Pike, said the department was concerned about the potential cost of replacing staff who need to take bereavement leave. “We maintain that the costs have not been significant in other sectors, including health, where the leave has been introduced,” he said.