Fórsa is writing to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, on behalf of the union’s members employed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), seeking a deferral of the planned vesting day (Sunday 30^th April) for the IAA under the terms of the Air Navigation and Transport Act.

The vesting day would see the separation of regulatory and navigation functions at the IAA. Fórsa has sought the minister’s intervention due to several industrial relations issues affecting members that remain unresolved.

Unions representing IAA staff, including the AHCPS, have said the unresolved IR issues have the capacity to adversely affect the smooth transition and successful operation of the separate functions. 

Assistant general secretary Derek Kelleher told the minister: “The Air Navigation Service is currently struggling with high traffic levels and serious staff shortages. The shortage of ATCOs is not limited to Ireland, it is a global issue.

“The highly competitive global labour market for ATCOs, in addition to the strained working environment at the IAA, has led to these highly-skilled workers leaving the company in large numbers to avail of lucrative job opportunities elsewhere.

“This has created an extremely difficult working environment for remaining ATCO members, as they continue to cope with large traffic volumes and staff shortages,” he said.

Fórsa has said there are three outstanding issues which must be resolved if the new structures are to operate successfully. These are:

• Human resource planning: This includes staff retention, an appropriate call-in scheme and necessary recruitment to ensure safe staffing levels and ‘futureproofing’ of sustainable staffing.

• Pensions: A binding arbitration has not been implemented and needs to be fully resolved in advance of separation.
• Pay restoration: Fórsa and the IAA continue to be in dispute concerning the restoration of a pay cut imposed in 2021.

Derek said talks to resolve these matters were unsuccessful and were subsequently referred to the Internal Disputes Resolution Body (IDRB). Following last week’s meeting of the IDRB, he said it’s clear that more time is needed for the parties to resolve the outstanding issues.

He concluded: “It’s Fórsa’s view that these issues need to be resolved to both ensure public safety and facilitate the smooth separation of functions as envisaged by the legislation.”

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa general secretary and president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Kevin Callinan, has said that the cost of living must continue to be the main focus for public service unions in pay talks this year.

Kevin chairs the ICTU’s Public Services Committee (PSC). He made the comments last week in his address to the INTO teachers’ conference in Killarney.

The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, expires at the end of 2023. Talks on a successor agreement are expected to take place in the coming months.

Kevin told INTO delegates that unions will concentrate on a number of key cost-of-living issues during expected pay talks, including the need to “make good the shortfall in pay against inflation” during the remaining term of the current pay agreement.

He said this would be in addition to factoring in the effect of the cessation of Government cost-of-living measures and supports, and in anticipation of cost-of-living projections over the period of any proposed agreement.

He said unions were clear that last year’s Building Momentum review didn't fully compensate for the rate of inflation, which averaged 8% over 2022.

He added: “When workers were weighing up the terms, they were mindful of government statements of intent to introduce various measures, including budgetary tax changes.

“We’ve already made it clear to government and employers, if these supports are withdrawn and if prices remain elevated - as they surely will - the shortfall will have to be made good in wage bargaining across the economy.”

Greedflation

Kevin said the relatively recent advent of inflation has led the European Central Bank (ECB) to identify excessive company profits as a bigger driver of inflation than wage demand.

He added: “Many commentators are quick to try to dampen down wage demands with talk of a wage-price spiral. Working people can see through those arguments, particularly when they are exposed to obvious price-gouging.

“To be clear, there can be no sustainable case for wage moderation while inflation continues to be driven by excessive company profits, neither in the public or private sector,” he said.

Public service employment

Kevin said recent growth in public sector employment is “merely a recovery of ground lost as a direct result of the 2008 financial crash”, adding that public service capacity shrank during the austerity years, while a growing population continued to place a demand on services.

He added: “The growth of public service employment is not keeping the required pace. It has increased by barely more than half the rate of population growth in the Republic,” and said even moderate predictions of population growth anticipates an increase to 5.4 million people by 2036.

Kevin said that, at roughly 7%, Ireland's public service employment, as a percentage of total population, looks “completely out of step with most of our EU partners.”

He said an appropriate comparison in this context was with Denmark, where public service employment is closer to 13%, while in Croatia the figure is 8.5%.

He said poorly resourced public services and inadequate infrastructure is holding back the potential of the Irish economy, in addition to “causing real hardship for many who can't access housing, essential healthcare or affordable childcare.”

Commenting on the recent upsurge in anti-immigrant commentary, he said: “Effective social dialogue can counter that kind of populism. It can help to replace short-term thinking with long-term planning, designed to meet the multiple challenges of our times and allowing the country to move forward more united, provided that the social dialogue is based on adequate levels of social protection, collective bargaining as the norm, and quality public services,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today. 

Fórsa members across the country took part in a union led coffee morning yesterday, to celebrate the work of administrative professionals and recognise their enormous contribution to the workplace.

In a message to members Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan acknowledged the significant impact administration professionals make to the lives of others.

“In Fórsa, we recognise that administrative staff are the backbone of their organisations. In many cases administrative staff are the first point of contact where they work and play a hugely important role in the success of their teams and organisations,” he said.

Branches across all Fórsa divisions took part and hosted the nationwide event.

The third Lunch and Learn will take place on Friday, 28th April, from 1-2pm focusing on Menstrual and Menopausal Health at work.

This will be delivered by Paula Byrne, from Apple blossom holistic.

Paula is a holistic wellness educator who is dedicated to helping others to enhance their wellbeing. She is the creator of The Mindful Cycle, a holistic and mindful approach to menstrual literacy and wellness.

The Mindful Cycle inspires a world where conversations about periods and the menstrual cycle are normal, the menstrual cycle is understood by all and people with periods can mindfully embody their unique inner rhythm.

It is changing lives through the development of holistic habits and sustainable skills for life.

You can sign up to attend the one-hour session HERE.

If you have any questions about any aspect of the application process, please contact Judith directly on 021 4255221 or email here.

Fórsa’s largest membership survey is currently underway, and we’re encouraging you to have your say.

Ahead of negotiations throughout 2023, we want to know more about the issues that matter most to you and your co-workers.

Fórsa is anticipating pay talks with Government in the coming months and while these will relate largely to civil and public servants, there will also be pay bargaining in other sectors where we represent members.

We also anticipate that a general election will be held within the next two years and we’re taking this opportunity to seek your views so we can influence the policies of political parties on the issues that matter most to Fórsa members.

Fórsa is not affiliated to any political party and does not support any party or candidates in elections. Your opinions will guide us in this important work.

The confidential survey is being conducted by Amárach Research on behalf of Fórsa and is entirely voluntary.

Aggregated responses will be used in our work to negotiate on your behalf, and influence Government policy.

You can access the survey here, but please note that only Fórsa members are invited to respond.

Please encourage your co-workers to join today.

The One Wexford Trade Union Centre opened its doors earlier this month, bringing Fórsa, Siptu and Connect together under the one roof.

The Congress-backed program is supported by the Wexford Council of Trade Unions and sets out to strengthen trade union awareness, build links between unions and communities, and enhance unions' local engagement in the Wexford area.

Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan helped to launch the centre, formed on the pillars of one movement, one approach, one vision.

Fórsa activist and secretary to the Wexford Council of Trade Unions Kate Miskella said that ONE Wexford was built on the successful model established by the ONE Cork and ONE Galway initiatives.

“This is about working collectively in our workplaces and communities to improve living and working conditions and achieve significant gains for all workers through greater trade union participation,” she said.

Applications are now open for the 2023 Fórsa Gaeltacht grant scheme, which will make 80 grants of €150 each available to assist children of Fórsa members attending residential Irish language courses in Gaeltacht areas this summer.

A further 40 grants of €70 are available to assist children to attend day-only Irish language courses held outside Gaeltacht areas.

Children of Fórsa members, who are aged between 11 years and 18 years of age on 1st July 2022, are eligible to apply for the grant scheme. You can download the application form HERE.

Please download the form to a folder on your device prior to filling it out.

If you cannot use the fillable form online please print the form, complete it in black pen and return it to:

General Services Committee,

Gaeltacht Scheme,

Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1,

D01 R2C5.

It should arrive before 5.30 PM on Thursday 1^st June 2023.

All queries and applications should be sent to this email address.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today. 

Fórsa members can now save 50% on their AA Roadside Rescue plan, through a new and exclusive union negotiated scheme.

This new AA Roadside Rescue offer provides for 24/7 roadside breakdown assistance in Ireland and the UK for just €6 a month, and will provide cover whether driving or as a passenger.

This new offer can be accessed exclusively through this portal.

Contact the AA here for more information.