Delegates to Fórsa's national conference last week adopted a motion mandating its national executive to work with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and others to achieve better work-life balance through a shorter working week.

Fórsa has backed Government proposals for the introduction of compulsory – or ‘automatic-enrolment’ – occupational pension schemes for all workers, funded by contributions from employees, employers and the State. But the union said employer contributions must be double those expected of workers in order to provide decent retirement incomes at a cost all workers could bear.

Fórsa fears that legislation compelling employers to reveal details of their organisation’s gender pay gap is unlikely to be passed if the Government insists on publishing its own Bill, rather than amending an opposition Bill that is proceeding through the Oireachtas.

Fórsa national secretary Andy Pike has called for civil service management to be given the flexibility to pay staff above the usual entry rates, where necessary, in order to attract suitably qualified staff.

Fórsa is to continue its campaign for a rights to union recognition in workplaces where staff want to be represented by a union.

Fórsa is to seek discussions with the Government and Ibec on the development of a formal social dialogue forum that can discuss – and reach agreement on – public policy issues that affect workers and business, but which cannot be resolved at workplace level.

This special episode covers the events of Fórsa's inaugural National Conference, including the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins' speech. Presented by Hazel Gavigan.