Comment: Hours progress shows value of Fórsa
by Bernard Harbor
 
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said it was inequitable that higher-paid public servants were seeing their Haddington Road sacrifices restored while predominantly female lower-paid and middle-income grades were not.
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said it was inequitable that higher-paid public servants were seeing their Haddington Road sacrifices restored while predominantly female lower-paid and middle-income grades were not.

If accepted, the proposed new public service agreement won’t immediately resolve the longstanding injustice of the so-called ‘Haddington Road hours’ in State agencies. But it’s a major breakthrough nonetheless.

 

That’s because the proposed agreement would deliver three things that appeared unachievable even a month ago.

 

First, the logjam has been broken after seven years of intransigence, during which politicians and civil service management simply refused to countenance any movement at all. Soon we’ll be voting on proposals that say – in black and white – that this and other Haddington Road issues are “outstanding matters to be resolved.”

 

Second, the proposed deal outlines a process that, next March, will begin to resolve the issue and –unusually – earmarks a substantial sum of money start implementing the solution.

 

The €150 million set aside is significant in monetary terms. But, just as importantly, it’s a clear signal that the process agreed will result in action.

 

Thirdly, the proposal is clear that work will continue beyond the two-year term of Building Momentum. Setting aside the fact that management overestimates the cost of returning the hours, the allocation of €150 million doesn’t represent a full-stop on the matter.

 

What’s caused this substantial change in the landscape since the 2013 Haddington Road deal put those working less than 35 hours a week up to 37, and those on 35 or more up to 39?

 

Again, three factors present themselves.

 

First, Fórsa changed the terms of the debate and framed it as an issue of equity, particularly for women who account for most of those affected.

 

Writing in a May 2019 blog, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said it was inequitable that higher-paid public servants were seeing their Haddington Road sacrifices restored while predominantly female lower-paid and middle-income grades were not.

 

This argument gained ground in a period when the union also placed the issue in a broader campaign about working time and the potential for a ‘four-day week’ across the whole economy.

 

Secondly, we entered negotiations last month saying that Fórsa simply wouldn’t do a deal that didn’t meaningfully address the hours and other Haddington Road issues. Some on the other side may have been surprised when Callinan stuck to that, but stick to it he did.

 

Thirdly – and crucially – the formation of Fórsa gave a strong voice to the grades affected, specifically those in clerical and executive grades in across State agencies, health, education, local authorities and the civil service.

 

When the union said there’d be no deal without action on the hours, the other side also knew there’d be no deal without Fórsa.

 

Building Momentum won’t fully resolve the problem over the next two years, not least because nurses and other clinicians – including Fórsa members – are affected at a time when health staff resources are strained.

 

But the creation of Fórsa, and the union’ stance, has delivered significant movement now, and the promise that the hours can be sorted in the not-too-distant future.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

LikeLike (0) | Facebook Twitter