The local bargaining provisions of the PSA allows trade unions to negotiate up to an additional 3% of pay costs, inclusive of allowances, for particular grades, groups or categories of employee. 

In a letter to branches on Tuesday (2nd July), Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan outlined the union’s progress in identifying the bargaining units - ahead of the 30th June deadline - under the terms of the current deal.

Kevin explained that the position paper is not a final, definitive document: “It was prepared so that Fórsa was able to meet the deadline of 30th June for finalising the bargaining units set out in the agreement. 

“Fórsa is the only union - so far - to have outlined a detailed approach to the operation of local bargaining for grades, groups and categories,” he said.
Under the terms of the deal local negotiations are to take place between July 2024 and June 2025, while agreements on local bargaining measures are to be secured, to the greatest extent possible, through direct negotiations. While termed ‘local’ bargaining these claims and negotiations will be addressed on a national basis.

Fórsa shared the document last week (25th June) at a meeting between officials from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR) and the officers of the ICTU Public Services Committee (PSC), which is chaired by Kevin.

A further meeting, to review progress, will take place on 25th July. Kevin said the management side believes if comprehensive lists of bargaining units can be finalised by September, there will be sufficient time to process claims during the nine months from October 2024 to June 2025.

He added: “This is the timeline in the PSA to allow partial implementation of outcomes, equivalent to 1% of the cost involved, on the agreed date of 1st September 2025.” 

The balance of 2% of the cost will fall to be negotiated in the context of talks on a future public service pay deal.

Kevin described this timeline - for negotiation and implementation - as ‘ambitious’, particularly if there is disagreement within the process: “It is also ambitious because the identification of bargaining units, although complex for a union like Fórsa with such an array of grades, is relatively simple compared to the formulation of claims. 

“It will require a big effort on the part of branches, national professional or vocational groups and union staff over the coming weeks to ensure that we can fully maximise this bargaining opportunity,” he said.

You can read the Fórsa position paper here.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.