Councils see smooth return to workplaces
by Hazel Gavigan
 
Mr. Nolan acknowledged the potential challenges, saying "“It is likely that amendments to the phasing set out in the Government’s roadmap could pose problems, particularly in relation to employers’ capacity to allow members work remotely."
Mr. Nolan acknowledged the potential challenges, saying "“It is likely that amendments to the phasing set out in the Government’s roadmap could pose problems, particularly in relation to employers’ capacity to allow members work remotely."

The return of local authority staff to their workplaces is largely proceeding smoothly as a result of extensive consultation between Fórsa and with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council employers.

 

Peter Nolan, who heads the union’s two local authority divisions, says there are problems in libraries, and Fórsa was monitoring the situation across the sector and responding to any issues as they emerge.

 

“It is likely that amendments to the phasing set out in the Government’s roadmap could pose problems, particularly in relation to employers’ capacity to allow members work remotely. We are ready to engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the saftey of both staff and service users are prioritised,” he said.

 

Earlier concerns about the lack of alignment between LGMA guidelines and the union-negotiated return to work safely protocol have abated after the employers’ body responded to union requests for the proper implementation of the protocol.

 

The LGMA also accepted a Fórsa proposal which is seeing lead worker safety representatives in all 31 councils nominated from lists drawn up by the three main local authority unions, Fórsa, Siptu and Connect. 

 

These representatives are responsible for working with management to ensure the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and monitor adherence to the measures.

 

 

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