Fórsa and Siptu members working as Community Employment (CE) supervisors voted in December to accept the terms proposed by the Department of Social Protection to pay members a retirement gratuity in settlement of their long running dispute.

Members of both unions voted by an overwhelming majority to accept the proposals.

Fórsa official Tony Martin said it had not been an easy road for union members affected by the 13-year delay in implementing the original Labour Court recommendation.

“Our members and activists have shown an admirable resolve throughout the 13 years. A good many people who will qualify for this payment have already retired, and these terms will boost incomes and give recognition to the Labour Court finding in 2008,” he said.

The unions said the gratuity will continue to accrue for service until the Government introduces auto-enrolment into an envisaged universal pension scheme. Discussions are to take place between unions and the department to combine the two schemes.