Fórsa launched a detailed report in response to the recent National Council for Special Education (NCSE) review of the special needs assistant (SNA) role at its recent education conference.

Fórsa has disputed Government estimates that restoring pre-crisis working time in the civil and public service could cost the Exchequer over €600 million a year. The union’s Senior General Secretary Designate Kevin Callinan said the figure was at least 50% higher than Government estimates when the additional time was introduced in 2013.

Public service management should work with unions to ensure that the introduction of new technologies does not lead to job losses or poorer services, according to Fórsa.

Fórsa and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have welcomed a new Government initiative to combat sexual harassment and violence.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has organised a briefing on tipping practices in the hospitality sector, and the union group ONE Galway’s campaign for legal changes on the issue.

A redesigned Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) website has been launched, which provides information on workers’ rights under employment, equality and equal status legislation.