Fórsa has sought engagement with the Department of Health following the announcement last week that the Minister for Health has redesignated a number of Section 39 adult hospices to Section 38 status. The redesignation is to take place before the end of 2022.

The Minister redesignated four voluntary hospice providers: Marymount Care Centre, Milford Care Centre, Galway Hospice and St. Francis Hospice, which means all voluntary adult hospices are now aligned to Section 38. This means staff in these agencies will have the same terms and conditions of employment as their counterparts working directly for the HSE.

Responding to the announcement, Fórsa’s head of Health & Welfare Ashley Connolly said the Minister’s decision was welcome, and the union would immediately seek engagement with the Department about the decision: “This provides hospices with a more sustainable funding situation, and that helps to improve the situation regarding the recruitment and retention of staff in a vital health service,” she said.

Research published by Fórsa last year revealed annual staff turnover in Section 39 bodies (community and voluntary sector agencies delivering health services and grant-funded by the HSE) is at an average of 33%.

The trend was confirmed in employments in Cork, Kerry, Mayo and Galway during last month’s series of industrial actions in a number of Section 39 agencies, including Enable Ireland and Ability West. Most staff leaving Section 39 agencies are moving to employment in Section 38 bodies or to the HSE.

The Minister said the redesignation of hospices reflects his desire to ensure that the sustainability of core services, like palliative care, is protected into the future.

Ashley added: “Funded agencies delivering vital health services, such as disability, face the same sustainability challenge. In a Dáil debate two weeks ago the minister acknowledged the role and responsibilities of the Government as the main funder - or often sole funder - to agencies in the sector. This suggests a deeper discussion must take place on the sustainability of other vital health services delivered by the voluntary sector,” she said.

Most palliative care services are provided by voluntary hospices. The Department of Health is to carry out an evaluation of the redesignation to ensure an appropriate level of resources are secured and to assist in the transition to section 38 service level agreements.

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Fórsa has demanded urgent clarity on the next steps after exhaustion of sick leave by members suffering from long-covid.

The union said the lack of foresight for this long-term illness was completely unacceptable, and has urged the HSE and the health department to engage with them under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) immediately to address urgent long-covid issues.

The union said the current criteria for special leave with pay for Covid-19 falls far short. The current mechanism of three months’ full pay followed by three months of half pay does not go far enough to financially help those out of work sick with persisting and, in some cases, debilitating symptoms of covid.

“Our members are having to use up their sick leave if they’re unable to work due to long-covid. Further, they face the worry of what happens should they use up all their sick leave and are left without pay,” the union said.

Head of Fórsa’s health and welfare division Ashley Connolly said “we are calling on the employer to recognise long covid and its effects and have more flexibility to help those suffering.

“The scheme simply does not go far enough. We need an urgent dialogue with the employer to put in place measures that are more suited to the seriousness and the long timeline of this illness and its symptoms.

“Once members run out of their paid leave they have no other option. They cannot return to work and put others at risk as many have direct physical contact with patients/clients, but there’s no clarity from the employer on what happens next.

“We need to engage now and decide on further financial assistance, there is simply no other way. Things cannot keep going as they are at this moment,” said Ashley.

Fórsa said majority of those who now have long Covid are the key workers who were exposed to increased levels of risk during the pandemic. The union said these workers should not suffer a risk to their livelihood.

Currently, the HSE is treating work absences - beyond the required seven days isolation period - as ordinary sick leave.

Ashley said the HSE scheme is unacceptable as it fails to address real financial concerns of staff.

“We want to ensure that workers on the frontline in community, voluntary and private employment, who did so much to meet the Covid-19 onslaught, and who continued to do are recognised for their efforts,” she added.

The HSE said there will be no extension to this scheme beyond 30 June 2023 and if employees remain unwell and no other action has been taken then they will move to ordinary sick leave arrangements from 1st July 2023.

Fórsa says ordinary sick leave arrangements cannot continue to be applied to this extraordinary illness. In addition to direct contact, a large number of staff suffering from long-covid work in settings with blood, body substances, infectious material or surfaces or equipment. They also have frequent/prolonged face to face contact with patients or clients or attend clinical settings for long hours.

Covid-19 causes symptoms for weeks or months after the infection has gone. While some people will recover quickly, for some the symptoms persist for much longer.

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Fórsa is calling on health and social care professionals (HSCPs) to complete a short union survey to assist with the #ChiefHSCP campaign.

Members who are health and social care professionals should have already received an email with further details and a link to the survey.

Fórsa is currently finalising a position paper, calling for the urgent establishment of a Chief Health and Social Care Professional Office within the Department of Health. The office will provide expert advice and strategic leadership to Government and the wider health service on the role of the HSCPs.

The purpose of this short study is to provide members and potential members with an opportunity to express their support for the campaign. This survey is open to all HSCPs working in Ireland and should be shared among colleagues.

The information provided will be used to outline HSCP attitudes/opinions in relation to a Chief HSCP role and will inform our submission to the Department of Health. It is important that your voices are heard!

You can complete the survey HERE.  If you have any questions in relation to this survey, please contact Juliette Cooper HERE. 

Fórsa is one of the unions that has formed the coalition behind the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign. Launched yesterday (Thursday), the campaign calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by Fórsa, SIPTU, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Speaking at yesterday’s campaign launch, ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary, Kevin Callinan, said the campaign to name the date for a referendum represented a shared commitment by trade unions to ensure the future of public ownership of water services: “It’s time now to end any lingering uncertainty about the future of water services in Ireland. A referendum would give people the opportunity to have their say, in addition to providing us all with a unique opportunity to safeguard public ownership of water for future generations.

“In that sense, there should be no further hesitation, and we are urging the Government now to name the date. In doing so, it would be taking a welcome and positive step,” he said.

Assistant general secretary Catherine Keogh, who has been working closely with Fórsa members in local authorities providing water services, has said the feeling among members is very strong: “They want the Government to name the date for a referendum, to clearly indicate when we can expect to cast a vote to protect the future of our water services. That feeling is universal, so I expect we’ll see strong support for this campaign,” she said.

Fórsa’s head of Local Government Richy Carrothers said the unions had come together to maximise participation in the campaign by union members: “Privatised water services result in higher costs and poorer services for the public. Public ownership of water services ensures safe and sustainable access to water for everyone.

“A referendum would help protect Irish water services from any future attempt at privatisation, providing a constitutional guarantee of public ownership. Opinion polls show that a huge majority of the Irish public want a referendum to ensure water services can never be privatised.

“We’re inviting all union branches and members to take part in this campaign by signing the petition and talking to their local political representatives about naming a date for this important referendum.

“This is the kind of grassroots campaign that unions excel at, and I’m confident that Fórsa members will seize the opportunity to get this message across to the Government parties,” he said.

You can sign the petition here and Fórsa members are encouraged to circulate the link among work colleagues, friends and family to seek their support for the campaign.

Owen Reidy has been appointed as the new general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), replacing Patricia King, who stepped down from the post this month. Owen’s appointment followed a competitive interview process for the general secretary post.

A native of Donegal, with 24 years of full-time experience in the Irish trade union movement, Owen started his career as a union official in SIPTU in the west of Ireland, and occupied a range of roles in the union representing and organising workers in the aviation, insurance, and finance, non-commercial semi-states, and cleaning and security sectors.

Appointed one of SIPTU’s five divisional organisers in 2013, Owen managed the union’s Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction division, a period during which he was involved in several high profile and successful industrial disputes. These include the Greyhound lockout, Luas dispute, and pay disputes in the CIE transport companies.

In 2016 Owen became assistant general secretary of ICTU, with primary responsibility for the Congress in Northern Ireland. He has established himself as the recognised voice of the trade union movement in Northern Ireland on issues such as Brexit, political stalemate at Stormont, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Welcoming Owen to address Fórsa’s national executive in Donegal this week, ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said Owen had a phenomenal track record as an industrial official and as a spokesperson on trade union issues: “I’m delighted that Fórsa’s national executive was able to welcome Owen in his native Donegal.

“His appointment marks a proud moment for Owen and his family, and on behalf of Fórsa’s membership I am delighted to welcome him into his new role. With Irish and European collective bargaining structures set to be overhauled, our movement is entering a dynamic new phase, with significant new challenges on several fronts, both in terms of the economic outlook and the challenges laid down by the high-level group on collective bargaining.

“As ICTU president I’m delighted to work with Owen as we enter this new phase. He will bring fresh energy to the task of ensuring we meet the challenges in a way that produces real improvements in the pay and conditions of workers, and he has shown that he has the qualities to unite the movement in pursuit of its core objectives.

“Equally, I want to add my deep appreciation for the amazing work and legacy of Patricia King, who has done enormous work to help shape a better future for Irish workers,” he said

Addressing the Fórsa national executive Owen said the immediate priority for Congress is to transpose the recent Adequate Minimum Wages directive, and to legislate for the LEEF High-Level Group report on collective bargaining in Ireland: “I am delighted and humbled to be selected for this important leadership role in our trade union movement. I think we have the potential to rebuild and grow our movement and reach out to workers currently not organised in trade unions. We need to make work pay for all and build a more inclusive economy and society,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa is urging its members to support a national demonstration calling for an end to the housing and homeless crisis, which takes place in Dublin on Saturday, 26^th November.

The ‘Raise the Roof’ rally will call for a large-scale public house-building scheme. Its organisers are a coalition of trade unions, housing and homelessness organisations, and student bodies.

Other ‘Raise the Roof’ demands include rent controls, an end to forced evictions, more secure tenancies, and a legal right to housing.

Fórsa and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) are supporting the protest and are encouraging members to attend the Dublin city demonstration.

Details of the rally route will soon issue to branches, but those looking to get involved should contact campaigns director Kevin Donoghue HERE.

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Fórsa is encouraging members to take part in a new union survey on domestic violence.

The purpose of this study is to garner a better understanding of domestic abuse amongst the union membership. This survey also sets out to establish attitudes towards domestic abuse and evaluate supports available in workplaces.

This survey is strictly anonymous, and Fórsa will be unable to identify those who have taken part. The collated results will be presented at the upcoming equality network seminar on Wednesday 9^th November.

The survey will remain open until midday on Friday 4^th November, and can be accessed HERE. 

We understand that this can be a sensitive and difficult topic and we would like to draw your attention to some supports:

• If you or a family member are in immediate danger you can find a list of urgent supports HERE.
• Women’s Aid 
• Men’s Development Network and the Male Advice Line
• Women’s Aid has put together some useful resources to assist in safeguarding digital safety. You can read more HERE.

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The Dublin North Health and Welfare Branch has staged interview training workshops to help members prepare and feel more confident, as part of its resolve to undertake more local branch initiatives.

The branch hosted interview training workshops for fifty of its members on Saturday, 15th October last, at the union’s headquarters in Nerney's Court.

Branch Chairperson Michael Davis explained the initiative followed on from the branch’s very successful Family Fun Day.

“As a further part of our branch’s policy to focus on what can we do for the local member, we rolled out this training programme. We had a great response as within two hours all places were reserved,” said Michael.

“Signing up for Fórsa membership includes an impressive number of benefits which are administered centrally, but we then thought we could enhance these benefits with local branch initiatives that really brings home the overall advantage of being a member of our union.

“And with this initiative, on top of the industrial relation remit, we are assisting our members in advancing their careers. We look forward with continuing to roll out more local branch benefits to our members in the near future,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa’s equality network seminar will take place on Wednesday 9^th November in Nerney’s Court, Dublin.

The all-day event will be the first in person equality session since 2019 and will provide a unique opportunity for interested activists to discuss a range of issues.

The seminar will feature key speakers on LGBTQ+ progress and domestic abuse workplace policy, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman will address the seminar. Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan and union president Michael Smyth will also speak.

Branches can register their interest to attend HERE. Places are limited, but members who are unable to attend in person can partake in the seminar via the live stream.

Watch the live stream HERE. 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.

More women are becoming active members of trade unions according to a new survey produced by University College Dublin (UCD).

The study, “Working in Ireland” looked specifically at the structure of union membership, members’, and non-members’ disposition towards unions, the perceived effectiveness of unions and the coverage of collective bargaining. The results were presented by Professor John Geary and Dr. Maria Belizón at a seminar in Fórsa offices last week.  

The data shows that although there has been a significant decline in union membership, down from 60% in the early 1980s to approximately 25% now, there are currently more women than men in trade unions. Some fifteen years ago there was little difference, but now 54% of union members are women while 46% are men. Professor Geary described the findings as ‘union membership increasingly becoming a female phenomenon.’

Interestingly, despite the decline in overall union density, trade unions have remained an important means of representing employees in Irish workplaces. Almost half of those working in non-union employments indicated that they would vote to establish a union in their workplace if possible.

Union membership is now concentrated primarily in the public sector (health, education, public administration and defence). Formerly highly unionised sectors such as manufacturing, construction and transport have struggled to maintain high levels of membership, while unions are struggling to get a foothold in modern sectors such as high-end tech and social media.

Union influence in the workplace was also examined. At least 50% of respondents believed unions exercise at least a moderate or a high level of influence on employers. The survey concluded that union influence is seen to be greatest in respect of employees’ terms and conditions of employment and the adoption of flexible working conditions.

Read the full report HERE.

Fórsa will soon launch a new book documenting the history of the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU).

Published by the Institute of Public Administration with Fórsa, ‘Fighting for the Clerical Grades’ A History of the Civil, Public and Services Union 1922-2017 charts the progress of the organisation representing civil service clerical grades, from its roots in the late nineteenth century, to its merger with IMPACT and the PSEU in the formation of Fórsa in 2018.

Researched and written by historian Martin Maguire it is an outstanding contribution to history of our public service unions and to Irish labour history generally and will prove essential reading for Union activists.

Branches and members looking to purchase a book should email cpsubook@forsa.ie for more information. 

Fórsa’s Global Solidarity Autumn School will take place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November in Nerney’s Court, Dublin.

The school will provide a unique opportunity for interested members to discuss a range of international, trade union and human rights issues.

Delegates will ahear about projects that Fórsa actively fund across the world, and it will also be an opportunity to hear about the union’s global solidarity work.

More information on the event can be found HERE and members can register their interest to attend HERE.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has welcomed plans to ratify an international treaty aimed at eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace.

The International Labour Organisation Convention (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) aims to protect workers, irrespective of their contractual status – including interns, volunteers, job applicants, and individuals exercising the authority of an employer.

The treaty specifically highlights gender-based violence and harassment, and the impact of domestic violence on the world of work is also included. It applies to the public and private sectors, the formal and informal economy, and urban and rural areas.

In a submission to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, ICTU applauded the efforts within the Department to complete the ratification process before the end of 2022, and said it is ready to engage in whatever manner necessary to expedite this.

ICTU equality officer David Joyce said that one of the most important elements of the Convention is that it deals with the issue of domestic violence.

“This was a key demand of trade unions. Perpetrators of domestic violence can be colleagues, where the partners work for the same employer, and perpetrators can follow or stalk their partners at their workplace. We look forward to early ratification and stand ready to play our role in integrating this treaty into social dialogue and collective bargaining at national, sectoral and workplace level,” he said.

ICTU has long been part of a global campaign of unions working towards the ratification and implementation of this key ILO convention to tackle violence and harassment in the world of work.

“Violence and harassment at work, particularly gender-based violence, is a major problem in all parts of the world and in every sector. It destroys lives, denies women the chance to fulfil their potential and contributes to wider repression in society on the basis of people’s gender identity, ethnicity and social status. Everyone has the right to a world free from this,” said David.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.