WORK TO RULE COMMENCING TOMORROW FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER 2023 AT NORMAL START TIME

Dear member,

The decision has been taken to lift the suspension of our industrial action for clerical, admin and management grades. Therefore, as of normal start time tomorrow, Friday 6th October 2023 members are instructed not to carry out any of the tasks identified here.

Rolling meetings on this for members will take place on Monday 9th October at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm via MS Teams. Please use this link to log on to one of the meetings:  Click here to join the meeting.

As you know, last week we wrote to all members to inform you of the decision to suspend the commencement of our industrial action until the 1st November, due to the progress being made on the development of a comprehensive framework agreement. We did so on the basis that agreement on many of the principles had been reached and a further engagement was due to take place this week.

Yesterday afternoon, I received an invite to a “catch up” meeting and was informed of the HSE decision to walk away from this dispute resolution process and issue a full recruitment ban across all managerial/ administrative grades. They clarified this affects Grade III and above.  Fórsa immediately requested that management withdraw this memo and re-engage in the Workplace Relations Commission to allow for a meaningful discussion.  This was rejected by the HSE.

Shortly after this, the CEO issued his memo. You can find a copy here for your information.

Emergency meetings were held with Officials and your Health & Welfare Divisional Executive Committee yesterday evening and early this morning.

The decision has been taken to lift the suspension of our industrial action.

Therefore, as of normal start time tomorrow, Friday 6th October 2023, members are instructed not to carry out any of the tasks identified in this notice.  We have also informed the employer that we reserve the right to escalate this action with seven days’ notice.

It is important to stress that since this HSE memo issued, we have received a large volume of contact from our branches and members. You have been clear that we cannot stand back and allow our members (managerial and administrative grades) to be targeted in this way. We will also not accept the HSE disregarding the agreed industrial relations process/ dispute resolution procedures.

It is important to stress our members are not the cause of the HSE budget overrun, and therefore should not carry the burden. It is the continued used of agency workers and private external consultants at a cost of 100s of millions that must be addressed. Targeting managerial / administrative grades is unjust.   

Managerial/ Administrative grades working in the health service are not dispensable; they are an integral part in the delivery of vital services, and we must stand together to show the employer that Fórsa members will not be scapegoated.

Your support and solidarity will be vital over the coming days and weeks.  We recognise members receive a large volume of emails bur we would urge you to regularly check for updates, including our website, for more information.

Your local workplace representatives and branch executives are available to assist with any queries you may have.

In addition, rolling meetings for members will take place on Monday 9th October 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm via MS Teams. Please use this link to log on to one of the meetings:  Click here to join the meeting.

It is only members of Fórsa that are protected by following this instruction. Non-union members must carry out all and any tasks as directed by their managers.

If a colleague asks you about joining the union, you can forward this link: Join Fórsa

In solidarity,

Ashley Connolly

Fórsa national secretary