Fórsa responded quickly to the launch of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy this morning, welcoming the proposal, but also calling for engagement with unions on the detailed roll-out of the proposals. The Government strategy includes a pledge to establish a legal right to request remote working, introduce a legally admissible code of practice on the right to disconnect, review the treatment of remote working for tax purposes, and make remote working the norm for 20% of public sector staff.

The Government has indicated that they would like to move towards a partial reopening of special schools and special classes in the primary sector from 21st January. But the union has not yet committed to any specific date for the re-opening. You can follow the news on the website or listen to Andy Pike's interview with RTÉ at lunchtime yesterday here (from 13:13). 

Public health doctors central to the battle against Covid-19 have warned that they will resume their deferred strike action if the Government does not engage meaningfully on their demand for a regrading to hospital consultant status.The 60 doctors belonging to the Irish Medical Organisation had been due to hold three one-day stoppages today, as well as on 20 and 21 January, in their bid to force an upgrade.
But they deferred the strike action in light of the rapid escalation of coronavirus cases.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO) have urged the Government to declare a National Emergency as the health service struggles under severe pressure, and are asking for emergency government intervention, to help cope with the growth in Covid-19 cases.

The United Nations has warned that the world remains on course for a “catastrophic” temperature rise this century, after confirming that 2020 rivalled 2016 as the hottest year on record.

The UK Government has denied reports, in the Financial Times, that its business department is drawing up plans to slash post-Brexit workplace protections. More on that here.

Lastly, our zen today comes from Paul McCartney ‘s 'Pipes Of Peace,' which landed at No.1 on the UK singles chart on this day in 1984, creating chart history by making him the first artist to have a No.1 in a group, (The Beatles), in a duo, (with Stevie Wonder) in a trio, (with Wings) and as a solo artist. Have a nice weekend everyone.