Fórsa has secured engagement with Dublin City Council (DCC) following a disagreement with management on staffing plans for a late-night market on Moore Street, due to take place next month.

DCC had trialled the market last September, but outsourced cleaning work that should have been carried out by Fórsa members, without consultation with the union.

Fórsa official Adam O’Maolagáin explained that he met with DCC at an emergency meeting to discuss this issue, where management recognised that staff consultation should have taken place.

“We received a commitment that there would be union engagement for the waste management needs of the market and established the role of council workers as the market launches,” he said.

Adam said that while there are situations that require outsourcing, this must not be the first choice for employers.

“While we absolutely accept that there is a time and place for contractors, what we are seeing is that contractors can in some instances become the primary choice for management. I hope that through positive engagement we can resolve this matter to the benefit of the workers, the traders and the council who are trying to revitalise the Moore Street area. But that cannot come at a cost to Fórsa members,” he said.