Union representatives finally met education department officials last month to discuss the implementation of a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) recommendation, which backed Fórsa’s case for a job evaluation scheme in technological universities and institutes of technology.

The union has since sent detailed proposals on how the scheme should be designed and managed, in advance of another meeting scheduled for later this month.

The March meeting followed lengthy delays from the management side. It also involved the Technological Higher Education Association, which represents employers in the sector, and Mary Immaculate College.

Fórsa suspended industrial action on the issue following successful talks at the WRC last October. The WRC discussions resulted in an agreement on a job evaluation scheme for library, clerical, administrative and support staff in higher education.