Dear Member, 

As part of our work to represent you and your colleagues working in Fingal, we meet with management to discuss IR issues once a month. Please see below an update on some matters of concern for members working in Fingal County Council.

Interview Practices

Following feedback from members, Fórsa representatives have engaged in ongoing discussions with management regarding interview practices in Fingal. Following the recent Grade 7 AO competition management made the decision to only interview 20 of the 41 candidates deemed eligible for interview by the interview board. 

Following representation from members Fórsa highlighted this issue to management. People Services responded to us committing to interview the remaining candidates over the coming months. 

The branch are pleased that these candidates will have an opportunity to interview. However, we consider the practice unfair. 

Fórsa has formally requested that this practice does not continue and that suitable shortlisted candidates should be interviewed at the same time. Management has refused to give commitments in this regard. We remain open to resolving this issue and will continue to engage with HR in this regard. 

Irish Water Transfers/Re-assignment

Fórsa has been informed that only 3-4 Administrative Staff members have yet to make a decision regarding their transition to Irish Water or remaining with FCC. If this decision pertains to you and you require any assistance or further information, please talk to your rep or email geraldine.whelan@fingal.ie.

Update on Work Sharing 

In January a motion passed at our branch AGM calling for the implementation of a Work Sharing policy that would allow staff to avail of greater attendance patterns under the Work Sharing scheme. This is line with options offered in other Dublin Local Authorities such as South Dublin. 

We have raised this issue at our IR forum and are requesting that management allow Fingal staff to avail of greater attendance patterns. Management are considering this proposal and will revert to us shortly. We will update members in due course.

Libraries Visits

Your Fórsa reps have taken the initiative to visit a number of libraries over the past few weeks. As a result we have had an opportunity to discuss our campaigns & hear from members about what issues matter to them. 

Car parking availability for Staff working in Blanchardstown

Concerns have been raised regarding the introduction of parking charges at the Blanchardstown Centre. We are currently looking into the matter and will provide an update as soon as more information is available.

A Better Deal Campaign

Our branch is campaigning for 'A Better Deal' in public sector pay talks. As part of this campaign we are asking members to sign a pledge to support our union's demands. 

More than 400 Fingal staff have already signed. By signing you not only increase our leverage nationally when entering into negotiations with government but also increase our leverage locally when we engage with management on issues that affect you and your colleagues. 

You follow this link to sign the pledge.

 
Our union continues to work on a wide variety of issues in Fingal and nationally. These are just a few of the issues we are working on locally.

If you have any queries, comments or concerns please contact your Fórsa reps. 

Kind regards,

Geraldine Whelan

Fórsa Fingal Branch Chair