A pay dispute concerning Fórsa members at the Irish Aviation Authority and AirNav Ireland will likely be referred to mediation after members voted near unanimously to reject a pay recommendation from an agreed pay verification board (PVB).

The pay verification board’s recommendation was for a 4% wage increase, or €1,600, “whichever is the greater” backdated to January 2023. The PVB recommended 4% stating it was in line with average increases in the economy and similar employments for 2023. 

IAA/Airnav workers were disappointed that the proposal does not sufficiently address the rising cost-of-living after seeking pay rises to match the rate of inflation. The proposal was rejected by 97%. 

Derek Kelleher, Fórsa assistant general secretary said “Our members’ expectation was that the proposal would meet the rate of inflation, as it did last year, however this year it didn't come close.  Our members have rejected the proposal and now we hope to engage again with the employer."

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

Fórsa is balloting members of the Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) branch in a vote that will run from the 10th to 15th of January.

Following intense negotiations between Fórsa’s ATC branch and AirNav Ireland mediated by Kieran Mulvey, the parties reached agreement on a deal covering a call-in scheme, scale re-alignment, and improved pay for student air traffic controllers.

The ballot was issued to members with a recommendation to accept the agreement. 

An explanatory note has been circulated to members outlining the key components of the deal, including an enhanced call-in scheme and pay-scale alignment that will start with a €3k increase on 1st January 2024 with the balance to be paid on 1st January 2025.

The call-in scheme will be reset from 1st January 2024. Those who signed up last July can do so again and will keep the balance of the 2023 call-in allowance that staff are entitled to receive. This represents a benefit of circa €2300 to members.

Andy Mullins, Secretary of Fórsa’s ATC branch, said: “It is our view that we have brought this process as far as it can go. We cannot achieve anything further on alignment or other retention measures at this table.”

Fórsa assistant general secretary Derek Kelleher said: “This agreement represents significant progress. If approved by members we will be able to focus on our next set of priorities in the year ahead, from negotiating new collective agreements to improving access to job share and enhanced family friendly conditions.” 

Fórsa represents approximately 5000 employees in airlines, airports, air navigation bases, aviation regulatory bodies, and air traffic control. 

Balloting is underway and will finish on 15th January 2024. If you are eligible to vote but have not received your email ballot please contact servicesandenterprisesinfo@forsa.ie  

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

Fórsa’s IAESA and IALPA members at the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue service have balloted to endorse a new industrial relations agreement with Bristow, the new contractor due to take over the running of the service.

The new agreement was finalised in December, while the ballots to back the agreement concluded on 29th December last.

The agreement ensures that Bristow recognises the union as having sole recognition for collective bargaining and representational rights for all flying staff (pilots and technical crew) within the company and outlines the basis on which future negotiations between the union and Bristow will take place, and includes a detailed disputes resolution procedure.

All pilots and technical crew are to transfer to Bristow Ireland by 30th June next year, on the same terms and conditions of employment. Meanwhile, continuity of service, seniority, salary and allowances, pension benefits and existing collective labour agreements (CLAs) remain in place and protected.

Fórsa’s head of Services and Enterprises, Katie Morgan, commented: “The new agreement, and its endorsement by our IALPA and IAESA members, represents a positive step forward, following an initially anxious period for everyone working in the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue service.

“There had been many months of uncertainty about the transfer of our members to a new contractor. This agreement protects our members’ jobs and service through the transition, and a comprehensive set of protections for existing terms and conditions.

“Establishing this agreement once again illustrates the positives of union organisation and recognition in the aviation industry. In the context of the vital public service provided by our Irish Coast Guard members, it gives an additional assurance to the wider public and maritime communities,” she said.

In addition, IALPA members balloted on a new collective labour agreement (CLA) with Bristow. The members accept the new agreement offering them further protections and security.

IALPA Vice President Daniel Langan said “We are delighted to reach a comprehensive agreement for the transfer of all pilots to Bristow, securing their current pay, terms and conditions. We look forward to building a positive working relationship with Bristow.”

As Annual General Meeting (AGM) season unfolds, now is the perfect time to consider taking a more active role within Fórsa.

Whether you picture yourself as a Workplace Representative or aspire to join the Branch Executive Committee as an officer, Fórsa has tailored courses to suit individuals at all stages of engagement with the union.

While in the role little over a year, our director of membership training Fiona Dunne, has developed a robust capacity building calendar to help you navigate the alphabet soup of acronyms and the sometimes confusing (but always democratic) structures of your union.

Fiona puts her emphasis on the importance of training down to her own roots as a shop steward.

“I really believe in training. I know it sounds like a bit of a cliché. I learned that we’re only as good as our most capable activists. If we’re building our activists, we need them to be strong and confident in what they’re doing.”

Under Fiona’s auspices, there will be 22 sessions a year for brand new members. The first training is called Fórsa 101 and is a fun, fast paced two-and-a-half hours long introduction to the structures of the organisation.

“We give an overview of 10 actions to take as an active member, including simple things like staying abreast of the latest union communications, talking to your rep, engaging with our social media, and, of course, the act of voting in ballots. We try to encourage them from day one. I want to provide people with as much information as possible,” described Fiona.

There are sessions for everyone. From union newcomers, to people who are looking to cover the basics or hone their skills as a workplace representative, branch treasurer, secretary or chair. Upcoming courses include:

• Expanded Workplace Representatives in Limerick on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th February
• Equality Module in Cork on Tuesday 13th February
• Fórsa101 online on Wednesday 14th February
• Foundational Workplace Representatives programme in Sligo Wednesday 27 to Friday 29th February

“If any of these courses pique your interest, reach out to your branch executive committee for access to the application link. Once you apply, the Skills Academy team will guide you through the rest of the process. We don’t all have to be a rep, but we’d like everyone to be active, ” Fiona concluded.

You can apply for our courses by completing the application forms sent by email 4-6 weeks before each course. You can contact your branch executive committee for the link. Once you have applied, Skills Academy will handle the rest.

Public sector pay talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) resumed on Tuesday 9th of January, after adjourning shortly before Christmas. After making progress on several key issues the focus turned to pay on Wednesday. 

However, despite initial optimism that the talks might progress quickly unions were alarmed at the derisory opening offer. A revised offer was still viewed by union negotiators as not credible and the talks adjourned at 3am, to allow time for reflection on the Government side.

On Thursday morning unions expressed concern that the Government’s initial pay offering illustrated its lack of preparedness to complete a sustainable and robust multi-year pay deal, and further undermined perceptions of the Government’s approach to the process of securing a new agreement.

The initial offer would have put little more than an average of just €5 per week, before deductions, in the wages of low-income public service workers, and €10 per week in the wages of those on middle-incomes in the first year. There was shock in the room when this offer was made. That offer did not include any payment before June 2024.

Throughout this process the union side has been clear that any agreement must address the cost-of-living pressures members face on a daily basis. Such small amounts don’t come close to doing that.

The offer put on the table by government on Wednesday night failed to meet the basic test of dealing with the cumulative gap between wages and inflation – which amounts to almost 19% over the last three years. While most public servants received increases amounting to 9.5 % in the same period, the shortfall remains significant. 

The revised offer of 7.5% plus 1% local bargaining, which would begin with a 1.5% increase from 1 March 2024, remains very far from addressing the gap between wages and inflation.
  
In a note to Fórsa members General Secretary Kevin Callinan said: “Public sector workers show up for our country and our citizens every day. They deserve to be treated with respect and an offer like this is neither fair, nor credible.”

He continued: “The Government has effectively undermined its own approach to negotiating a multi-year public service pay agreement. There have been months of delays, and they have allowed Building Momentum to lapse, which puts us in an unprecedented position.”

On Thursday morning the officers of the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) met with affiliate and non-affiliated unions and associations. At these meetings ballot wording was approved so that unions are ready to ballot members for industrial action should it become necessary. 

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

As the situation in Gaza deteriorates further the Irish Palestine Solidarity Committee continues to organise solidarity demos in Dublin and across the country. The next demonstration in Dublin takes place this Saturday 13th January, assembling at the Garden of Remembrance at 1pm.

Fórsa have participated in these demonstrations since October and will continue to do so. We know many of our members have been attending individually or with branch colleagues. To demonstrate our collective solidarity and to maintain consistent visibility at the protests we are seeking volunteers to carry and distribute Fórsa flags and banners.

Volunteers will be added to a Fórsa WhatsApp group to be kept up to date with marches and demonstrations. Volunteers will be asked to collect materials from Fórsa, distribute them to members at the marches and collect them again when the event has concluded.

The last few weeks has seen no let-up in the continued bombardment of Gaza, with the death toll now at 23000 people killed. The UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has described Gaza as being “uninhabitable” and said that famine in the area is “around the corner.”

It is critical that we continue to show solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine and demand an immediate ceasefire. If you are interested in supporting this work, please email kdonoghue@forsa.ie

Calendars, diaries and wallplanners for 2024 have been sent to Fórsa branches. Should you wish to request additional stock please contact calendars@forsa.ie and diaries@forsa.ie

Fórsa members can tune in to a free health insurance webinar, hosted by Cornmarket exclusively for the union.

Members will have two opportunities to catch the information sessions, which will take place at noon on 24th and 31st January.

The online sessions will offer guidance on all aspects of health insurance and advise how you can save money on your plan. Fórsa’s Director of Membership, Seán McElhinney will introduce the sessions, and Ireland’s leading health insurance guru Dermot Goode will also be on hand to offer advice and answer your questions.

Registration for the event is free and can be accessed HERE.

Registration link for the 24th is available here.

Registration link for the 31st is available here.

More information on Cornmarket can be found HERE.