Discussions on sectoral bargaining for Fórsa members in health and social care settings will kick off shortly. The new public service agreement, which was overwhelming endorsed by union members last month, establishes a ‘sectoral bargaining fund’ worth 1% of basic pay, on top of two general round pay adjustments worth 1% each.

The sectoral fund can be used to deal with outstanding adjudications, recommendations and claims relevant to specific groups of workers within the health and welfare sector. Or groups can opt to take the 1% as a straight pay increase.

The sectoral bargaining process first requires both sides to identify the different groups of grades and staff categories that will be subject to negotiations. Once these ‘sectoral bargaining units’ are agreed, work can begin on how the additional 1% of pay will be distributed through sectoral bargaining.

Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division is currently undertaking internal consultations about the make-up of the sectoral bargaining units. There will also be consultations with the union’s ‘equivalent grades committees’ regarding clerical and admin grades, which exist across the civil and public service.

Agreement on the shape of the sectoral bargaining groups is meant to be concluded by the end of next month. Payment of any sectoral awards is scheduled for 1^st February 2022.

Haddington Road hours

Separately, discussions are intensifying on the establishment of an independent body charged with addressing the so-called ‘Haddington Road hours,’ which are also being addressed under the new deal, called Building Momentum.

The body, which is to be set up by the end of this month, will take submissions from management and unions representing grades whose hours were increased under the 2013 Haddington Road deal.

It will make recommendations by the end of 2021. Rollout of these recommendations will begin within the lifetime of the agreement, with €150 million available to commence implementation during 2022.

Fórsa fought hard for the inclusion of the process in Building Momentum. As a result, workers whose hours were increased under the Haddington Road deal can expect to see reductions in working time from next year.

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