On Tuesday 25th June unions representing workers in the community and voluntary sector met with Government Departments responsible for funding Section 10, 39, 40 and 56 organisations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for the latest in an ongoing round of negotiations.

The group of unions were seeking pay increases for workers that would restore the pay relationships that existed prior to pay cuts in 2008. During the meeting an offer to increase pay by 6.5% was made. As this would not restore workers’ pay, the offer was rejected.

Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said the offer made falls short of what unions are fighting for. She said: "Workers in the community and voluntary sector play a vital role providing services our country relies on. They deserve to be paid fairly. That’s why we rejected the offer made at the WRC.”

“Workers in the community and voluntary sector work in health and disability services, services to children, and homeless services. They often earn less than their colleagues working in the same roles but employed by the HSE, rather than by voluntary organisations funded by the state. As a result workers are leaving the sector at any chance they get, which just isn’t sustainable” continued Ashley.

These negotiations are taking place following the interim agreement secured in October 2023, which brought about pay increases for workers in the community and voluntary sector. It also provided for further negotiations to take place regarding the terms of any successor public sector agreement to Building Momentum.  The negotiations currently underway are the result of that provision, as the new public service pay deal was ratified in March. 

Ashley concluded: “We are continuing to engage with the WRC to establish if there is a basis for further engagement. We will update members further as developments arise.”