Fórsa members are to escalate ongoing industrial action at Oberstown Children Detention Campus, arising from the continuing dispute over resourcing and the provision of safe staffing at the campus. 

Management at Oberstown was formally notified this week (Monday 27th) that Fórsa members will begin a series of work stoppages next week. The first stoppage will take place on Tuesday 4th August, from 12 noon to 6pm. 

The action follows a ballot of Fórsa members, concluded in May, which supported industrial action up to and including a full withdrawal of labour in pursuit of a resolution to the dispute. Oberstown staff have been engaged in a work-to-rule action since 25th June. 

The notified work stoppages are as follows: 

• Tuesday 4th August 2026, 12 noon to 6pm 
• Tuesday 11th August 2026, 12 noon to 8pm 
• Tuesday 18th August 2026, 12 noon to 10pm 
• Tuesday 25th August 2026, 12 noon to midnight 

Fórsa assistant general secretary Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins explained: “All Fórsa members across Oberstown campus will participate in these stoppages, while industrial action will continue indefinitely.

“The action became unavoidable in the context of ongoing capacity challenges at Oberstown. Safe staffing is the goal here. Until that’s achieved, the health and safety of residents and staff continue to be compromised. 

“Fórsa has reserved the right to review, amend and further escalate the action, up to and including additional work stoppages or a further withdrawal of labour,” she said. 

Fórsa has advised Oberstown that representatives remain available to meet management in an effort to resolve the dispute and secure safe staffing at the campus. 

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