Fórsa has been fielding queries from clerical officers following publication of our recent article about the union’s breakthrough on permanent contracts for temporary staff working on the public service card. The union has invited non-members who are interested in joining Fórsa to seek clarity in relation to their rights and entitlements by contacting the union’s Membership Information and Rights Unit on 01-602-0202 or miru@forsa.ie. 

Three weeks ago we reported that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) had agreed to give permanent contracts to a number of temporary staff working on its public service card project. The breakthrough came after Fórsa won a number of cases on behalf of temporary clerical officers it believed should be on permanent contracts, or ‘contracts of indefinite duration.’

The union now wants to hear from those temporary clerical officers who want to have their employment status clarified. It has invited all temporary clerical officers to join Fórsa so that it can look into their cases.

Since 2012, up to 200 temporary clerical officers have been hired by the department to administer and process the Government’s public service card project. Fórsa has been working to ensure they receive the correct holidays and increments.

The union also sought permanent contracts in over 30 separate cases, many of which were successful. Fórsa officials have also met DEASP management to discuss the cases, which the union referred to third party adjudication.