The Roscommon county council workers are back on the picket line this morning for the fourth time in their row with management over flexi-leave. The council was strongly criticised yesterday afternoon by the Public Service Oversight Body for failing to make sufficient family friendly arrangements available to staff. Chairperson, Anna Perry noted the Public Service Stability Agreement provided that access to work life balance arrangements should be available to the greatest extent possible subject to normal service need requirements. Fórsa welcomed the statement, saying it "lays down a very clear challenge to management to re-engage and to develop proposals for the full implementation of family-friendly policies."

Meanwhile the front page of the Indo reports on other potential industrial action. The result of the IALPA Ryanair pilot ballot is expected later today.

According to Aviva’s 2018 Family Finances Report, the vast majority of Irish people are likely to become “forever renters”, as a combination of rising rents and house prices conspire to make getting on the property ladder particularly difficult. More than 90% would prefer to own their own home but don't think they could afford it. This is similar to a Congress survey result where 74% of young workers/trade union members have "little or no confidence in being able to buy a home in the future." 

And finally, in a strange attempt at strike resolution, TK Maxx has been accused of offering staff two goldfish as a peace offering.

For today's Zen I thought I'd share the song that's been stuck in my head for the past week. George Ezra's Shotgun is quite the earworm but if the 25C+ weather hasn't put you in a summery mood then this surely will... though the video might make you dizzy.