Council ICT staff to go to WRC

Information communication technology (ICT) staff in Cork city and county councils, who have been engaged in a work-to-rule industrial action since Wednesday last week, have been advised by their union, FÓRSA, to return to work while the case is referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

FÓRSA accepted an invitation from the WRC to engage in conciliation talks with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).

The union said that the LGMA has indicated its willingness to enter talks. The WRC requested industrial action be paused while discussions between the two parties are underway.

FÓRSA’s Disputes Committee has suspended the action as a result, and the union has confirmed it will be attending the talks this week.

In December, the workers voted to approve industrial action, with 98.4% in favour, and an 86% turnout.

More than 500 council staff took part in the action across the country, 44 of whom are employed in Cork city and county councils.

Cork staff said they are frustrated by what they call years of inaction on the part of city council in regard to recognising professional status, pay, and responsibilities.

They are seeking a sector-wide review of ICT grading and pay, the establishment of a National ICT Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee, and a nationally agreed framework for out-of-hours work.

The workers have drawn support from opposition TDs.

Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould said the Government must intervene: “This didn’t happen overnight. They have warned of this for months but were ignored by those with the power to act. This must be resolved now,” he said.