Catering and household staff at St Patrick’s hospital, who are represented by Fórsa, have secured terms and conditions including specific protections and union recognition at talks in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The discussions followed a dispute over the employer’s decision to outsource the catering and household services at the mental health unit.

Fórsa represents the management grades in the catering and household departments. Fórsa official David Field said management had previously refused to engage on the issue, but a ballot for industrial action by staff earlier this month prompted a move to conciliation over the transfer of undertakings agreement with the companies providing the services to the hospital.

“Fórsa members led the way on the issues involved in this dispute. The agreement ensures their existing pension provision is maintained, including the death-in-service cover included in their terms of employment. We’ve also secured guarantees on their work location, carrying over all of their previous terms and conditions,” he said.

David added the union has also secured recognition for members in the new companies, and an agreed industrial relations framework with which to operate should the new employers attempt to alter their existing terms and conditions. David said ex gratia payments for five members had also been agreed.