Fórsa members at commercial semi-state forestry firm, Coillte, have backed a new four-year agreement on pay and benefits, providing for adjustments and a revision of the five existing pay bands, in addition to base pay increases, pay progression and a series of benefits improvements.

Fórsa is the largest union within Coillte, and 88% of Fórsa members voted in last month’s ballot to accept the new deal. Negotiations to secure the deal commenced in May.

Under the terms of the new deal, the existing minimum, median and maximum points have been extended, while premium rates have been increased, while all points of the pay bands are to be ‘refreshed’ by the following percentage increases:

• 1.5% in 2026
• 1.0% in 2027
• 1.0% in 2028.

The deal is due to expire on at the end of 2028, four years after the expiry of the current deal (31^st December 2024).

Fórsa assistant general secretary Eugene Gargan explained that base pay increases and pay progression are to be applied over each of the four years, along with additional flat rate increases in the first two years.

The effect of this, he said, would mean cumulative increases for all members, with higher increases for those earning below the median.

He added: “This marks the conclusion of lengthy but worthwhile process, setting out a positive pay framework for Fórsa’s Coillte membership, which remains strong, over the next four years,” he said.

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