The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is expecting confirmation shortly, from Galway City Council, on its participation in a facilitation process designed to resolve the council’s disputed move to Crown Square.  

Galway City Council has planned to relocate from its current location at College Road to Crown Square. Fórsa has described the planned move as costly and impractical and has criticised the local authority’s failure to consult its staff on the issue. 

In its submission to the WRC, ahead of last week’s conciliation hearing, Fórsa said management’s claim that it had consulted with members “did not meet the legal requirements of the 2006 Agreement on information and consultation” adding that members were only advised of decisions “after they were made.” 

Fórsa was equally critical of Galway City Council’s failure to provide a summary of the factors that influenced its decision to purchase the Crown Square property and said “major gaps” appeared in the information provided by the council.  

Fórsa also criticised the lack of any substantial evidence of appropriate due diligence taking place ahead of the purchase of the building and expressed concerns over the absence of available data for future workforce planning, noting that management has already missed significant deadlines on workforce planning engagement. 

SIPTU and Connect trade unions joined Fórsa in its opposition to the move last month, and both unions have withdrawn from the working group set up by the council to address staff concerns about the planned move.   

More than a hundred Fórsa members protested outside Galway City Council at its March meeting, calling on the Council to change course on its proposed move to Crown Square, and joined by local politicians from across the political spectrum.  

Members are concerned that services will be more difficult to access for many citizens if the council proceeds with its decision to move out of Galway City. The move is expected to increase Galway City’s traffic congestion, and to reduce footfall to local businesses in the city.   

In a recent survey, three quarters of the staff surveyed confirmed the move would make them consider applying for posts outside of the council.  The WRC document is expected in the coming days.  

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