Fórsa is urging its members to support the ‘global climate strike,’ an international protest in support of action on climate change that’s planned for Friday 20th September.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Irish and international students behind recent school strikes for climate action, will involve demonstrations and other initiatives around the country in what the organisers expect to be the largest ever worldwide mobilisation for action on the climate crisis.

The union is urging members to support major lunchtime protests in Cork and Dublin (details below) or, where possible, to take leave to travel to attend. There are also events planned for over 60 towns in ten counties across the country. You can find your closest local event using this live map.

If there’s no event currently planned in your local area, you can sign up to create your own one HERE. A team of volunteers is available to help people organise an event, and you can contact Fórsa campaigns director Joe O’Connor to access this support.

“We are encouraging members to join in one of the demonstrations around the country during their lunch break. We’re also encouraging those who can’t get to a demonstration to organise an action in their workplace. This could be a meeting, a stand, a workplace photo for use on social media or an approach to management,” said Joe.

Although they use the word ‘strike’ to describe the day of action, the organisers explicitly acknowledge that many workers are not able to take formal strike action for legal or other reasons. This is the situation in Ireland, where the law precludes industrial action unless it relates to a ‘trade dispute’ between an employer and its employees.

Fórsa has responded to the organisers’ call for workers in such circumstances to add their voice to the demand for climate action in other ways.

Dublin demonstration: Assemble at the Fórsa banner in Merrion Square at 1pm. If you are able, you can join the march at 12 noon at the Custom House and march to Merrion Square.

Cork demonstration: Assemble at the Fórsa banner at 12pm at the bottom of Grand Parade.

You can find your closest local event using this live map.

Contact Joe O’Connor for information or assistance from Fórsa.

Get more information on the Global Climate Strike HERE.