Council staff strike for better pay and conditions

COUNCIL staff across the country continue industrial strike action in an effort to secure better pay and retention conditions.

According to trade union Fórsa, members in local authorities are taking action in an effort to achieve job evaluation in the sector.

Fórsa say members working in the local authority sector voted for action by over 85 per cent to give them a mandate, following “abject failure” of sector management to engage meaningfully in a resolution.

They request that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) arrange urgent conciliation with both parties as a matter of urgency.

“The initial industrial action will commence with an indefinite ban on engagement on all non-statutory political representations (verbal, email and written) from September 11,” said Forsa.

An emergency motion tabled by Sinn Féin supporting the workers was passed by members at the council meeting on Monday.

“It concerns me that constituents are not going to be afforded the attention of our representations whilst this action lasts, but this is not the fault of council staff. The blame here lies squarely at the foot of government,” said Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh (SF).

“During the financial crash local authorities were hit hardest in the public sector, with up to 10,000 job losses. Many staff in the intervening years have been assigned additional responsibilities above their pay grade, training, or appropriate pay.”

Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien has been urged to engage with Forsa.