The Irish times highlighted Fórsa's claim that it would seek the restoration of a shorter working week in the same story. The article also reports that Government sources have played down expectations that workers on community employment (CE) schemes will be granted access to public-sector pensions, following the suspension of their industrial action late last week.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) has welcomed the introduction of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill in the Dail, but joined Fórsa in expressing concern that the Bill does not go far enough, and called for amendments to strengthen the legislation. The legislation will only initially apply to companies of 250 staff or more before dropping to employers with 50 staff or more on a phased basis. Both Fórsa and the NWCI have said that this should be lowered immediately.

Fiona Reddan has an article in the Irish Times questioning if self-employed people should be required to pay an increased contribution rate, following the Government's decision to allow increased access to jobseeker's benefits to those in self-employment. It features contributions from ICTU policy officer Laura Bambrick on the issue.

Siptu members in the Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Ballina are to commence a ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike action, as part of their campaign to secure collective bargaining rights.

ICTU general secretary Patricia King said that improvements in access to collective bargaining would play a crucial role in ensuring economic inclusivity, while addressing the Unite trade union conference in Dublin. Delegates at the conference in Malahide also adopted a motion urging the Government to tell US president Donald Trump that he is not welcome to visit Ireland.

Finally, today's zen (a recommendation from my colleague Martina) comes from the late singer and actress Doris Day, who died at the age of 97 yesterday.

Have a good day folks.