Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Divisional Executive Committee has published a strategic plan for 2022-2024. The paper outlines how the union will meet health service challenges and pursue better outcomes for workers across the sector.

The plan sets out five core objectives:

• Organising to create a stronger more powerful union
• Delivering for members
• Campaigning and influencing
• Building an efficient and effective union
• Futureproofing Fórsa for the challenges ahead.

It is underpinned by motions passed by local branches at the 2020 divisional conference in 2020, and also takes inspiration from Fórsa’s overall strategic plan for 2021-2025. This looks to create a stronger, more powerful union.

The union’s national health team has identified the recruitment of health and social care professionals (HSCPs) as a priority objective. They say that higher union membership in this area will enable the union to improve their career structures.

The strategic plan includes a continued focus on the delivery and funding of quality public services and lobbying Government to adequately fund health and welfare services. The Health and Welfare Executive Committee is committed to working with Fórsa’s campaign and communication teams to maximise success.

The report also highlights the situation faced by section 39 and section 56 agency workers, particularly the disparity between their pay and conditions and those of staff directly employed by the HSE and section 38 agencies.

In September 2021 Fórsa launched a report on a new systemic funding model for the voluntary and community sector. It examined the need to rebuild and refinance the voluntary and community sector with a more sustainable and appropriate funding model. The report underpins and will guide the union’s strategy in the sector in the coming years.

Read the full strategic report HERE.