Dublin City Council has agreed to introduce a regular competition for general operatives (GO) to compete for clerical officer (CO) posts. IMPACT secured the deal, in which CO posts will be internally confined and open to general operatives for the first time.

The union argued that the opportunity to change streams from GO to CO would mean improved terms and conditions and the chance for Muno members to progress and upskill in the clerical grade.

IMPACT official Shane Lambert said management wanted to ensure that the competitive process attracted the people with the necessary skills and competencies. “We’ve committed to working out a competitive process that will identify suitable candidates, while management has committed to providing specific training in areas such as IT and administration. We’re also looking at what supports the union can provide to ensure our members reap the maximum benefits achievable from this agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, a small group of IMPACT members in pest control have secured a subsistence rate following a union campaign. The eight workers work from individual vehicles, responding to complaints and queries. They had been receiving an eating on site allowance which amounts to a little over a euro a day.

Shane said: “The allowance is really only appropriate where canteen facilities are inadequate or unsatisfactory, and applies to workers who are on a single site or location for most if not all the day. These workers are on the road moving from place to place. We sought the application of subsistence arrangements, on the basis that this was a more appropriate arrangement for their work pattern,” he said.

The deal will apply from 13th November.