Aer Lingus staff are due to get the first part of their €1700 recognition payment within this fortnight.

The pay award which was offered by the employer as an incentive to start talks imminently was accepted by 95% of Fórsa members that were balloted.

The payment was awarded to flight staff, cabin crew and all ground staff to honour their patience and commitment as the aviation industry coped with the effects of the pandemic.

The measures balloted on, and agreed to, also include a partial reversal of a cut to commission, and an earlier end to a pay freeze, in addition to the once-off payment of €1,700 for those in employment with the airline pre- January 2022, with pro-rata payments for those employed after that date.

Fórsa said the timing and manner of the payment was of priority to the union.

The union said members will get the €1000 now and the remaining balance of €700 would be paid next year. Fórsa is also seeking clarification in relation to the tax rules around the payment for 2023.

Fórsa official Eugene Gargan explained the discussion with the employer was productive and it ensured the rollout of the payment would happen in the most tax-efficient way possible.

“Aer Lingus also made concessions on the loss of commission issue,” he added.

Some of the cabin crew had enjoyed a commission rate of 12% previously, but that had been reduced. This was finally restored back up to 10% following negotiations to bring it up to the industry norm.

Eugene said there was also a mechanism in place now to address the loss of commission for those cabin crew who had been on the higher 12% rate.

“It makes a calculation on approximately how much extra commission would have been earned by those who were entitled to it, so it was great to see the employer concede to this commission part as well,” Eugene said.

These arrangements are due to be in place until, or unless, an agreement in the ongoing pay talks superseded it.

Fórsa said the sterling equivalent would also be available to cabin crew based in Belfast. But the union said there was some disappointment as there was no mechanism in UK’s tax law to allow for tax repayment to be made, so the payment being taxed was simply unavoidable. The payment works out at about £1500 for staff in Belfast.

Eugene said Fórsa representatives were also in discussion with the employer to allow greater flexibility around this particular aspect of the payment to avoid disappointment for staff on the taxed portion.

“The company accepted our proposal to use a prepaid credit card that is widely accepted internationally. They are working to develop that for all at this stage, and final details are expected soon,” he said.

This would mean staff would get €1000 now on the card, if rolled out successfully by the employer.

Eugene said these pay awards were a recognition by the employer of both the cost living crisis and the loyalty and hard work that's been always shown by the cabin crew throughout the pandemic. But he said the payment was also a welcome indication by the employer as a requirement to have a serious look at pay in the forthcoming discussions.

Among the income measures introduced in last month’s Budget was a resolution to the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997), increasing the amount an employer can provide to an employee with a small non-cash benefit, such as a voucher.

The resolution increases the limit of the small benefit exemption from €500 to €1,000, which was one of the recommendations in ICTU’s pre-Budget submission this year.

The resolution increases the number of benefits in a year that an employer can give from one to two per year, at a maximum total of €1,000 in a single year.

Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan explained that the move marked a successful outcome for ICTU’s pre-Budget campaign, and reflected the Government’s decision, earlier this year, to provide a tax-free payment of €1,000 to public servants involved in the response to the pandemic.

Katie added: “The boost in the exemption limit represents a real win for workers. The non-cash payment is exempt from PAYE, USC and PRSI, and will benefit tens of thousands of workers.

“We are already seeing the revised exemption limit at work in many of our non-state employments, including Irish Water and the recent addendum agreement approved by Aer Lingus cabin crew and pilots, which included a special once-off payment.

“ICTU’s recommendation to the Government was that it raise the Small Benefit Exemption limit from €500 to €1,000. By raising the limit the measure allows employers greater scope to grant employees non-cash awards tax-free.

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, this measure should benefit working families. Even if an employer has already given the benefit of €500 this year, that employer can give a further voucher for up to another €500 this year as a tax-free bonus, now that the limit has been raised” she said.

ICTU’s head of social policy and employment affairs, Laura Bambrick, welcomed that the small benefit exemption will be a ‘reportable benefit’, meaning that employers would be responsible for reporting the payment to Revenue: “We’ll finally know how widespread, or not, payments of these worker benefits is,” she said.

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

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.

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

Over eighty-per-cent of Coillte workers would prefer a hybrid approach to work, as we emerge from the pandemic. That’s according to the results of a survey of staff at the State forestry company, published this month.

Speaking at the IRN conference earlier this month Coillte’s group HR director Ruth D’alton said the best practice for the company was to work on a hybrid working model. Coillte’s ‘Future Working Model’ for flexible and remote working was presented to the audience highlighting the progress and challenges faced by the company.

Survey respondents also indicated that they would still need opportunities to connect with other workers and sought more flexibility about work locations in a way to not hinder career progression and development.  

Coillte, in response have decided to implement an ‘anchor day’, whereby all staff will be present in the workplace once a week. The discussion provided helpful insights into the future of remote and blended working, as the Government is expected to publish revised and improved remote working legislation shortly.

In a review of their work practices in 2021, Coillte had some interesting findings. They found that, regarding remote work:

• 55% found it had a positive work-life balance
• 54% found it had a positive impact on productivity
• 32% found social interaction a challenge
• 47% said it had a negative effect on the level of connection with colleagues

Ms. D’alton explained that as a company with over 800 staff it was impossible to please everyone, but from the data provided the best practice for them was to work on a hybrid working model.

According to social policy officer with ICTU Laura Bambrick, companies across Ireland should be looking to develop policies as soon as possible.

“For the vast majority of employers this is their first experience of a ‘blended’ working arrangement. It is essential that remote working policies exist in companies across the country before any Bill is accepted and published,” she said.

Laura said that as we progress in a work dominated by remote or hybrid work the resilience and adaptability of both employers and employees will be tested.

“The recommendations from the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment provide an indication on how remote working legislation might develop but it is clear that a ‘one policy fits all’ will not work,” she said.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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’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.