Fórsa has sought Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) conciliation following Local authority management’s rejection of the union’s claim for a national flexitime scheme for local government workers.

The union’s head of local government, Peter Nolan, said management’s stance was expected. “The claim is to provide a national flexitime scheme along the lines of that operating in the civil service. That scheme provides for 1.5 days’ flexi leave in each flexi period” he said.

Meanwhile Fórsa has asked the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents employers in the sector, to engage with the union to seek ways to provide greater opportunities for local authority staff to work from home.

The LGMA HAS agreed to consider the matter, and told the union it wanted to consider other alternatives. Fórsa representatives indicated that they would consider all reasonable suggestions.