Following a union ballot overwhelmingly in support of industrial action, this week Fórsa wrote to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) management outlining the clear mandate given by our members to take industrial action if necessary, to resolve outsourcing issues. This position was reached after careful consideration and extensive discussions about outsourcing legal services and related matters. 

In the letter to the CEO of South Dublin County Council (SDCC), Fórsa official Maura Cahalan said: “Management’s refusal to adhere to negotiation norms or even conciliate in a meaningful way to reach a fair and mutually agreeable solution gave Fórsa no other option but to ballot our members for industrial action.” 

She went on to reiterate that the union remains available for meaningful engagement under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). She also said that any industrial action will be in full compliance with the Industrial Relations Act. 

Over 92% of Fórsa members backed industrial action - up to and including strike action - over the issue of outsourcing work from South Dublin County Council’s legal department, specifically, the engagement of external solicitors for debt recovery of rates arrears.  

The ballot, of almost 500 Fórsa members at SDCC, closed on Tuesday,18th February.  

Fórsa’slocal government and local services divisional executive committee (DEC) will meet next week to consider what will happen now. 

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