Fórsa has sought clarification on arrangements for weekend work for local authority workers after a virtual meeting of the union’s Local Government Divisional Executive Committee took place yesterday (Wednesday.)

The move comes after the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council employers, said there was no requirement to pay a Saturday premium to staff engaged in Community Response Teams.

An LGMA letter indicates that a premium of double time in the form of time off in lieu will apply for Sunday working.

The LGMA advised that if Community Response staff work on Sundays, they should be given time off equal to the hours worked. For example, an employee who normally works 35 hours will be rostered to work 27 hours in a week where they work eight hours on a Sunday.

Head of division, Peter Nolan said, “While this would appear to only relate to staff engaged in Community Response schemes, the union is clear that the terms set out will have to apply to workers who are working similar patterns in other areas of activity within the local authority.

“In addition, the union will insist that staff who ordinarily provide out of hours service will continue to be recompensed in the same manner that previously applied unless otherwise agreed between the local union branch and local authority,” said Peter.

Fórsa has also written to the LGMA requesting an analysis be undertaken of each post mentioned on the list of essential services to ensure that the duties of the post holders are in fact essential. However, it is also possible that other services may be deemed essential in future as needs change.

Staff who are not deemed essential are required to make themselves available for the temporary reassignment panel being administered by the Public Appointments Service.