The magazine for Issue No7 Fórsa members Summer-Autumn 2019 In this issue

Working time Civil Service gender balance Climate challenge EPSU Congress Conference news & pics Podium pride The gig economy Sligo branch podcast Limerick Palestine exhibition New Galway office opens Pension auto-enrolment

Plus all the latest union news with food, music, travel and competitions

Working together Taking care of business

forsa.ie President’s foreword You can’t Summer-Autumn 2019 Working together beat quality Taking care of business THIS UNION is blessed with quality activists. I meet them everywhere I’ve gone on union business this year. I had the pleasure of attending all six divisional conferences Fórsa is produced by Fórsa trade union's communications unit and is in April and May and thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many great activists and to edited by Niall Shanahan. Deputy witness such good debates. editor Róisín McKane. Carrickmacross, Sligo and Kilkenny all provided a great welcome to delegates. Well Front cover: Cathaoirleach Niall done to the host branches for their brilliant preparations. McGuirk speaks to Fórsa’s Head of Civil Service Derek Mullen at Elsewhere, the union’s More Power To You and School Secretary campaigns saw lots the Civil Service Division Conference 2019 in Kilkenny. of members out attending meetings and engaging with local representatives and See more photos from the their communities, inspiring stuff. divisional conference season on pages 16-21. Dylan Vaughan, In June I was delighted to take part as a delegate as we welcomed the European Dylan Vaughan Photography. Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) to Dublin for its 10th Congress. Our delegation, led by Senior General Secretary Kevin Callinan, really reflected the diverse membership of our union and well done to all the Fórsa team for their crucial role in making it all run very smoothly.

Contact Fórsa at: Elsewhere, we’ve had two meetings of the Women's Network and the first Disability Nerney's Court, Dublin 01 R2C5. Network meeting, since our April launch, took place in June. The Equality Network Phone: 01-817-1500. www.forsa.ie has been working hard and plans for an event for Travellers rights, race equality and an LGBT+ event are now in the pipeline. Designed by: N. O'Brien Design & Print I was delighted to see the Galway office officially opened in June, and we marked the Management Ltd. event by holding our national executive meeting in the new premises. The new Phone: 01-864-1920 Email: [email protected] offices will be a fantastic resource for union members in the west, and it’s great to see another big piece of Fórsa work completed. Printed by Boylan Print Group. Advertising sales: Meanwhile, back on the east coast, I was writing this message as we began Fórsa’s Niki O’Brien. second branch campaigning summer school. After a busy conference and Phone: 01-864-1920. campaigning season, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn something new and to share ideas with the branch campaign officers. Unless otherwise stated, the views contained in this magazine As we reach the halfway point in the year, I like to reflect on all the hard work being do not necessarily reflect the done throughout the country by our member activists. I’m fortunate to get to see a policy of Fórsa trade union. lot of that work up close, and the quality of our activists is always a source of inspiration to me. Our union is in good hands. This magazine is printed on environmentally friendly paper, Now that we’ve finally arrived into the summertime most of you will be taking time certified by the European Eco out to savour some downtime. Enjoy the well-deserved break! Label. This magazine is 100% recyclable.

This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-call 1890 208 080 Ann McGee, Fórsa President or email: [email protected] June 2019

All suppliers to this magazine recognise ICTU-affiliated trade unions. The magazine for Fórsa members 1 In this issue Editorial Pause: take

Summer-Autumn 2019 WORKING TOGETHER: Taking care of business Niall Shanahan. on the future Going for gold UNION NEWS...... 4 WE MIGHT all be living in a noisy, set out the challenges facing the trade It was great fun to visit the Sligo branch Snapshots from the conference season news desk fractious and hurried world, but it’s union movement in the face of a rapidly recently and take part in their new always worth taking a moment to stop, developing climate crisis. Senior podcast series, Stronger Together. HOURS AND HOURS ...... 10 breathe, look around and try to stay in General Secretary Designate Kevin Rodrigo and Irene have embraced the BERNARD HARBOR reports on the push for reduced working time the moment. In a way, we hope this Callinan further emphasised that technology to find new ways to engage publication gives Fórsa members the climate change is the biggest challenge with members. PODIUM PRIDE...... 12 opportunity to do exactly that, even if facing Ireland’s public services. Bernard Philippa Ryder on Sporting Pride and winning for Ireland only for a moment. Harbor digs deeper on what is probably Technology, meanwhile, is being utilised 12 to facilitate new forms of work and After a full and busy divisional humanity’s greatest challenge in this service delivery. But is this shiny new CLIMATE CHALLENGE...... 14 conference season, Fórsa activists and edition. thing merely old fashioned exploitation Can we turn words into meaningful action? asks BERNARD HARBOR staff got stuck in to the 10th EPSU Climate challenge Michael D was similarly up-front and in new clothes? Ashley Connolly had a Congress, which took place in Dublin’s honest about how much work remains to stark warning at our Services and IN PICTURES: UNDER WESTERN SKIES ...... 18 RDS in June. Our European guests be done to achieve true workplace seemed to have had a great time. I think Enterprises conference in May, while NIALL SHANAHAN reports on the opening of the new Galway office gender equality, a challenge he said the gauntlet thrown down by Michael D Aingeala Flannery reveals the realities won’t be met until a balance is struck of the gig economy from within. Higgins in his opening speech to within the trade union movement itself. BEARING WITNESS ...... 20 conference definitely stirred their Hazel Gavigan takes a look at recently- We hope that you find plenty to chew on Hugh Malala’s extraordinary Palestine photos are on display in Limerick senses. revealed civil service figures that in this edition, but we hope too that Aside from his well-publicised swipe at illustrate the scale of the challenge on there’s time for reflection as the summer 14 STIKING A BALANCE ...... 22 US President Donald Trump, Michael D that sector. passes, pleasant and slow n HAZEL GAVIGAN examines the gender divide in the Civil Service

New Galway office WE OWN IT...... 24 Cat Hobbs loves public services. So she mounted a campaign to save them

HIGH TECH SWEATSHOPS...... 26 The gig economy could just be old fashioned exploitation in new garb

THE SLIGO NETWORK...... 28 18 The Sligo branch continue innovating with branch communications

ART ON COMMON GROUND ...... 30 Limerick exhibit NIALL SHANAHAN meets the team bringing artists and communities together

PENSION AUTO-ENROLMENT ...... 34 Most workers don’t have a pension. LAURA BAMBRICK explores a solution

JUST PAY ME ALREADY: THE UNTOLD STORY ...... 36 AINGEALA FLANNERY on why the media was slow to tackle precarious work

20 A PLACE AT THE TABLE...... 38 DANIEL DEVERY on the joys of dinner table equality Sligo podcast MUSICAL GENIUS...... 40 The thorny question of the real genius in your favourite band

PACK YOUR BAGS...... 42 Ace travel tips with UNA-MINH KAVANAGH

WIN WIN WIN ...... 47 28 Crossword, competitions and prize survey

2 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 3 Fórsa news Pension top-up scheme details published Higgins: Decent work our defining issue

THE SCHEME is a career-average Photo: Conor Healy. the services they deliver are not a cost defined benefit pension scheme, to society, but an investment in our meaning that each year you bank communities. This message must be amounts towards your retirement lump taken to the heart of Europe,” he said. sum and your retirement pension. The President lauded the trade union The scheme is a career-average defined movement for its “powerful, proud benefit pension scheme, meaning that tradition” on which the civil rights, anti- each year you bank amounts towards apartheid and equal rights movements your retirement lump sum and your could look to for support. retirement pension. A long-awaited circular on a facility for the purchase and transfer of retirement President Higgins and Sabina Higgins with volunteers at the EPSU conference in Dublin. Fórsa demands benefits for members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme has THE BATTLE for decent work “is a social security, paid leave or paid mental health been released by the Department of defining battle of our times,” according training. The co-ordination and direction Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). to Michael D Higgins. Speaking at the of employees by an algorithm owned by investment five-yearly congress of the European a company should never be allowed to The circular (15/2019) provides single Federation of Public Service Unions divest the employer of their scheme members with a facility to FÓRSA HAS called on the Government (EPSU), which took place in Dublin in responsibility any less than a bogus self- purchase additional amounts to top up to invest seriously in State supports for June, the Irish President applauded the employment does,” he said. their pensions, and transfer amounts those with mental illnesses, and says it role of trade unions in upholding the from other Revenue-approved President Higgins criticised the wants health sector employers to “hard-won rights of workers across retirement schemes into the single displacement of secure jobs with “create an environment of meaningful your retirement lump sum and your Europe as we continue to face the precarious work in large parts of the support” for workers who suffer from scheme. The circular takes effect from retirement pension. Anyone who joined Public service challenges and obstacles to a fairer European economy. “Workers are too mental health problems. The union says 1st October 2019. the public service on or after 1st society.” often expected to demonstrate what is it will seek discussions with health The facility is aimed at single service January 2013 are members of the deal “should Delegates from unions representing called flexibility, by which is meant a service management with a view to members whose career in the public single scheme. eight million public servants across the willingness and ability to readily respond developing policies to remove stigma service may be shortened due to joining Supporting documentation relevant to continent were wowed by a wide- to changing circumstances and from workers who experience them. mid-career, taking career breaks, other the purchase and transfer scheme will cover ranging speech that covered gender expectations without adequate Fórsa published the results of a survey unpaid leave or who wish to transfer in be made available on the single scheme equality, workers’ rights, climate change information or recompense. that found almost half of Ireland’s health pension benefits from outside website closer to the scheme/circular’s and the civilising role of public services. employments. date of effect. voluntary “This flexibility is often not matched, workers have experienced mental health President Higgins said the abuse of however, with any security of tenure or difficulties. Over 60% of the 1,600- The scheme is a career-average defined A copy of the Purchase and transfer of digitalisation was helping to undermine appropriate income by employers, with plus health workers who responded to benefit pension scheme, meaning that retirement benefits circular is available sector” hard-won workers’ rights as staff were the vista of zero-hour contracts now the survey said they would be each year you bank amounts towards at forsa.ie. required to register as self-employed, appearing ever-more prevalent,” he said. uncomfortable discussing a mental FÓRSA HAS said the next round of which he likened to nineteenth century health issue with their line manager, He outlined a vision of Europe with public service pay talks should include working practices. excellent public services at its core. while over 80% said their employer was talks on establishing “a structured, fair doing too little to promote mental health Fórsa criticises lack “Online workers often are not covered “Good jobs in the public sector mean and sustainable funding model” for awareness. ‘section 39’ agencies, which provide by employment law or collective quality services for citizens. Your housing, disability and other services on agreements and seldom have access to members appreciate only too well that Read the full story at forsa.ie. of Brexit plans behalf of the State. Speaking at the union’s recent health Dementia: Understand Together FÓRSA TRADE union’s Services and Enterprises division has conference in Sligo, Fórsa official Ian called for a “comprehensive dialogue” with Irish government McDonnell said it was time to address departments in order to ensure a seamless continuity of “fundamental flaws” in the funding THIS HSE-led campaign, in partnership services in the aftermath of Brexit. model for ‘section 39’ agencies, which with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are independent of the State but rely and Genio, is supported by more than The union said talks are essential to secure the jobs and heavily or entirely on public funds to 40 national partners. Organisations livelihoods for Irish workers likely to be most affected by the provide services and pay their staff. from various sectors shared their UK’s departure from the EU. experiences of taking action to change Pay in most community and voluntary the culture around dementia. It’s A motion to the union’s divisional conference in Sligo in May sector bodies was cut during the crisis, estimated that 11 people develop Eugene Gargan. said dialogue with various government departments was also but it has not been restored in the same dementia every day in Ireland with over necessary to ensure that all appropriate supports are made way as in the mainstream public service. half a million families affected by the available in the event of the UK’s departure from the EU. Ian said Fórsa had fought for a “long- condition. For information on how overdue start to a pay restoration Proposing the motion Eugene Gargan (pictured) described the Government’s individuals, businesses and process” and that money was due to development of a Brexit response plan as “poor.” organisations can help create change hands shortly in many of the 50 communities that are supportive and “While some contingency plans drawn up, they’ve been developed under the organisations where the HSE is the Paul Slowey, Iarnród Éireann, Kathy Ryan, Irish Dementia Working Group, inclusive of people with dementia and pretence of ‘nothing to worry about, it’ll all be ok’. That’s not good enough. If there’s primary funder. Talks are due to begin on Audrey Podd, Dublin Airport Authority, Maureen Cournane, National Transport Authority, their families, visit no engagement with stakeholders, there’s a risk that any plan will be unworkable. rolling this process out to a further 254 Jean Pigott, Dublin Airport Authority, and Fiona Foley, Dementia: Understand www.understandtogether.ie/get- Any plans need to be published, tested and refined to make sure they stand every bodies. Together campaign, pictured at the campaign’s National Partner Forum 2019, chance of success,” he said. Read the full story at forsa.ie. involved. which recently took place in Dublin. Read the full story at forsa.ie.

4 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 5 Fórsa news Photo credit: Gerry Stronge

Up and running in the West: Fórsa’s National Executive Committee held its monthly meeting in June at the newly opened Fórsa offices in Galway City. For a full report on the new building’s official opening see page 18.

IALPA warns on bogus The agreement includes a range of commitments to implement the demands of the unions’ More Power To You self-employment campaign, which was launched in March this year.

THE IRISH Airline Pilots Association (IALPA), a branch of The campaign sought substantially increased revenue and Fórsa trade union, has told an Oireachtas committee that funding powers for local authorities, as well as greater the Irish Revenue Commissioners and the Department of autonomy for local government. Read the full story at Employment Affairs and Social Protection need to forsa.ie. approach their investigations into the status of Irish airlines’ contractor pilots “with the same focus and intensity as the authorities in Germany and the UK.” 4,000+ child protection The president of IALPA, Captain Evan Cullen (pictured), cases await social worker was addressing the joint Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection in a June THERE ARE 4,282 child protection cases awaiting hearing about bogus self-employment. allocation of a social worker, including over 650 that have He said Ireland’s rate of ‘contractor’ pilots is far higher been judged as ‘high priority,’ according to Fórsa. In than the European average. Across Europe, 18% of pilots evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children have non-permanent indirect employment status. Read and Youth Affairs in May, the union said a minimum of 285 the full story at forsa.ie. additional social workers were needed to bridge the gap, and that 8% of existing social work posts were currently Unions welcome councillors’ vacant. Speaking to the Committee, Fórsa official Éamonn ‘Dublin Agreement’ Donnelly outlined a range of recruitment and retention difficulties regarding social workers in the child protection FÓRSA, SIPTU and Connect trade unions have welcomed area. They include the complexity and challenging nature the launch of the 2019 ‘Dublin Agreement’ by elected of the work, the ready availability of posts in the UK, a representatives on Dublin City Council. cumbersome recruitment process that favours the use of The agreement was launched as a joint initiative by Dublin relatively expensive agency staff, and a rising “blame City councillors from Fianna Fáil, Labour, the Green Party culture” that discourages young social workers from going and Social Democrats at the first meeting of the newly into the child protection field. Read the full story at

forsa.ie news shorts news forsa.ie elected council in June. forsa.ie. The magazine for Fórsa members 7 Advertorial Interview with Paul Ryan, new CEO of Public Service Credit Union (PSCU)

Ursula Nolan, founder Director and long standing CEO of Public Service Credit Union, retired recently and has been succeeded as CEO by Paul Ryan. A native of Dublin and a graduate of UCC, Paul has worked in credit unions for the past twenty years, first as CEO of Portlaoise Credit Union and subsequently as CEO of An Post Employees’ Credit Union. We caught up with Paul recently.

Q: Paul, congrats on the new appointment. How are you settling in? A: Many thanks. I’m settling in well. PSCU is one of the strongest credit unions in the country with a very committed membership and an excellent staff and is involved in some very interesting projects, so it’s a great Citybus Credit Union over the months Officer, Noel Cocoman, who loves to call time to be joining. Ursula has left a ahead. Citybus has over 2,800 to the various departments and bodies – wonderful legacy and it’s an honour to members, all employed at Dublin Bus, he is always happy to talk with groups of be taking on the baton. and the fit with PSCU looks good. As employees or to set up a stand in the you know, there have been previous Q: You mention some interesting canteen. transfers in the past and the former projects. Anything you can share? members of Agri, Fás and Forfás credit Q: Finally, Paul, what is the future for A: Very much so. PSCU hopes to go live unions are very much part of the credit Irish credit unions? union and its DNA. over the next few months with a A: The future appears to be very bright. members’ current account service. This Q: Is PSCU a bit Dublin based? We have come through a challenging will feature a debit card, overdraft period in relation to new regulations and facilities, direct debits and all the A: Well, the office is based in Earlsfort a reasonably large number of local credit functionality you would associate with a Terrace in Dublin but there are members current account. Fees will be very throughout the country. While members unions have transferred to their stronger competitive. PSCU is also introducing are welcome to call to the office, most neighbours. Irish people love their credit full online lending from early July. interact with the credit union online or unions because of the member control, by the traditional routes of post and friendly service and ethical foundations. Q: Any truth in the rumour about a phone. There are payroll deduction And with the world needing to pivot to possible link up with Citybus arrangements in all government more sustainable and local Employees Credit Union? departments and state bodies and this arrangements for all goods and A: You are well informed! PSCU are makes membership very straight services, the credit union movement hoping to accept a transfer from forward. PSCU has a Development catches that mood n

8 Summer-Autumn 2019 Working time Fórsa’s recent divisional conferences Photo: dreamstime.com heard the so-called ‘Haddington Road hours’ placed in the context of a trade union demand for fewer working hours for all. BERNARD HARBOR reports.

Bernard Harbor. Fórsa puts extra hours back in play

THE GOVERNMENT responded quickly when Fórsa’s incoming Senior General Secretary, Kevin Callinan, told delegates to the union’s recent divisional conferences that he wanted argument against them now, in light of the higher paid. But this anomaly becomes a central theme in the restoration of pre-crisis public our current economic performance and continues to disadvantage lower paid international debates about the future service working hours back on the rapidly-developing technological workers long after better-paid staff of work. possibilities,” he said. have experienced restoration. That’s not negotiating table. One standard-bearer has been New fair.” Under the Haddington Road agreement, Zealand finance company Perpetual Official spokespeople told journalists higher earners – those on €65,000 a Last November, Fórsa became the first Guardian, which switched to a four-day that the return of additional hours year or more – suffered a third, but Irish organisation to add its voice to week in 2018. Nearer to home, the introduced as a crisis measure under temporary pay cut. By January 2018 international trade union calls for a Galway-based recruitment and HR firm the Haddington Road agreement would this had been fully restored, as reduction in working time across the ICE recently announced that its 50 cost the Exchequer over €600 million a envisaged in the deal. economy – often expressed as a four- staff would soon be moving to a four- year. But Kevin questioned their maths, day working week with no loss of day week with no loss of pay. saying that figure was at least 50% earnings – as part of a response to higher than Government estimates Crisis productivity improvements arising from when the additional time was new technologies and improved work Luxurious weekends? introduced in 2013. Those who earned less accepted organisation. increased working hours to avoid a third Speaking at a Fórsa event on working The Government was responding to his pay cut. But, unlike their higher-paid time last November, Kate Bell of the UK blog on the union’s website. In Search of colleagues, these workers have so far “If we raise our Trades Union Congress (TUC) said the Lost Time, published ahead of the Fórsa seen no restoration to pre-crisis working productivity, isn’t it British government had estimated that conference season, concluded that the time levels. robots and autonomous technology issue should be revisited as part of a worth asking whether could boost GDP by around £200 billion review of the Public Service Stability Kevin said: “These were torrid times for Ireland and, when the Government we could be working a year. Agreement (PSSA), which governs pay Kevin Callinan. and working conditions for most civil sought savings to fill an extra and four days rather than “If we raise our productivity, isn’t it and public servants. – advances in new technologies and clearly still rankle six years after they unexpected €1 billion hole in the public worth asking whether we could be work organisation could defray any were introduced. finances, we agreed to talk and workers five while producing working four days rather than five while “Advances in new costs associated with reduced working reluctantly voted to accept a third hit. the same amount?” producing the same amount? That’s how time in the public service and “By doing so we produced the savings workers have historically benefited from technologies and work elsewhere. Two-tier problem improvements in technology,” she said. that enabled the country to meet the This debate about working time in all organisation could The issue featured at nearly all the Kevin identified the issue as a “two-tier harsh Troika bailout terms, and we sectors has softened the response of Kate said average weekly working hours defray any costs union’s conferences, where branch problem” because the temporary pay avoided the imposition of another public many commentators to the idea of in Britain had halved from over 60 in the representatives questioned why cuts experienced at the same time by service-wide pay cut under the hated restored working time in the public 1860s to just over 30 today. “The associated with reduced changes to working time had been set in higher grades – whose working time did FEMPI emergency legislation. service. And Fórsa is not alone in weekend, which was seen as an working time in the public stone when other crisis measures – not increase – have been restored, while “It was the right thing to do at the time. connecting the issue to climate change unaffordable luxury until around the particularly pay and pension additional working time for lower and But six years later we’re left with yet action, as fewer working days would middle of the twentieth century, is service and elsewhere.” contributions – had been fully or middle earners has not. another two-tier public service problem, likely translate into fewer carbon- another example. Several generations partially restored after the economic boosting commuter journeys. on, we have the chance to fight for a “A few years ago, when we were in the which leaves those on low and middle crash. fairer share for everyone, including Placing the issue in a wider international eye of the economic storm, I opposed incomes – mainly women – losing out. But it’s not just unions that are talking through a four-day week,” she said. trade union debate about how much The ‘Haddington Road hours’ – conference motions calling for an end to “In fairness, most of the measures about working fewer hours. The idea is time we spend at work, Kevin later told additional time added to the working the Haddington Road hours. But I’d imposed on, or accepted by, public gaining traction, here and abroad, Bernard Harbor is Fórsa’s head of conference delegates that – in any case week of civil and public servants – struggle to construct a convincing servants during the crisis fell harder on among employers as working time communications n

10 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 11 Members’ experience Last year, at the tender age of 57, Philippa Ryder represented Ireland, as a time trial and road racing cyclist, ascending the winner’s podium in Paris no less than three times at the 10th Gay Games. This year Philippa will compete in the LGBTI European Multisport Championship in Rome, which take place in mid-July. NIALL SHANAHAN met her to discuss the long and winding road to medal success. Niall Shanahan. Proud to compete

PHILIPPA IS a transgender woman, a was setting personal bests every time I long standing member of Fórsa went out on the bike, felt much fitter and (previously IMPACT and, before that, stronger than I had in a long time and I UPTCS) and works for the Property was ready for Paris.” Registration Office. She’s also a former The training and diet schedule was director of TENI Transgender Equality demanding, with a mixture of high Network Ireland and a member of the intensity interval training as well as committee of Sporting Pride, an regular visits to the gym. “It was pretty organisation committed to making sport serious stuff,” says Philippa. a more inclusive and diverse environment for members of the LGBT Her main event was time trialling, where “Just before I left for Paris I timed myself Team Ireland with Philippa (pictured center) in her Orwell Wheelers jersey. community, promoting the positive the individual cyclist competes against ascending Dublin’s Knocklyon Road, and benefits of fitness and exercise. the clock. Finding a stretch of open road I managed to win the QOM, the fastest where you can ride uninterrupted by Philippa regularly gives talks about her time recorded by a woman on that traffic is a challenge. One of her main work within the LGBT+ community and stretch of road. I was thrilled because training locations was Corkagh Park, at about her transition, encouraging and you’re up against much younger cyclists Ireland’s only purpose built cycle track, supporting those who may be facing on very expensive bikes, and here I was which is near Newland’s Cross in West similar experiences. at 57, claiming a Strava win at Dublin, and run by South Dublin County Knocklyon Road,” she explains. Council. With confidence and fitness levels at an “The training and diet “Over time I recorded serious all-time high, Philippa went to Paris and improvements and toward the end of my schedule was demanding, claimed bronze in a personal best training I was recording a lot of personal performance (12k in 22 minutes) in the with a mixture of high bests,” explains Philippa. intensity interval Philippa with her three medals at individual time-trial, silver in the team the 2018 Paris Games. time-trial event, and silver again in the training as well as “With confidence and road race event. surgery at the time, and I wanted to be regular visits to the gym.” able to recover from that as quickly as fitness levels at an In the end Team Ireland claimed 42 possible. all-time high, Philippa medals, 12 of them gold. The Gay ‘Olympics’ as they were “That provided the impetus to take the went to Paris and originally called, were set up in 1982 to training more seriously, and I found a Sporting Pride give Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and claimed bronze in the great group there in Orwell Wheelers,” Team Ireland meeting President Michael D. Higgins on return from the 2018 Transgender (LGBT) athletes a safe and The work didn’t end there. Philippa says Philippa explains. individual time-trial, silver Paris Games. Philippa pictured to the left of President Higgins. accepting space to compete and have a key objective of Team Ireland is to been held pretty much every four years During our conversation we realised we in the team time-trial promote the importance of sport and first time. Philippa says the success of mental and physical health. We’re trying had cycled together in an Orwell since then. event, and silver again in fitness to members of the LGBT+ the Union Cup has helped pave the way to get people involved so that they can Wheelers event back in 2009 (I recall community, which has a much lower for a Sporting Pride multi-sport say they represented Ireland at an Starting with around 1,500 competitors cycling sportives largely for the quality the road race event.” participation rate in sport than the LGBTQ+ event in Dublin in the future international competition. in the first games, the 2018 games saw of their catering, and Orwell’s was general public. (“Watch this space” says Philippa). over 13,000 participants, including outstanding). “I regularly did sportives, “For me, standing on the podium last Aside from a cadence and heart monitor Philippa, compete in the French capital. the Great Dublin Bike Ride, the Wicklow Sporting Pride continues to forge links “The planning for Team Ireland’s next big year with a medal around my neck, to capture training data, Philippa also 100 and 200, Orwell and other club with sporting bodies all over the world, outing – the 2022 Gay Games in Hong draped in the Irish flag, it was just an uses the very popular Strava app, where events, as well as getting out pretty and had a presence at Union Cup Dublin Kong – has already started, and we’ve incredible feeling. I want lots more cyclists can record their times at Impetus much every weekend,” she says. 2019, Europe's biggest LGBT+ put the call out for participants. Ireland people to be able to experience that,” thousands of different locations, and inclusive rugby tournament. will field 60 athletes in the European says Philippa. “I’ve been cycling pretty much all my life, Philippa took things to a whole other compare their performance against games in Rome, including men’s and but I really started taking it seriously level for the 2018 Gay Games in Paris, other cyclists who train on the same The two-day tournament was hosted in All the focus now is on Hong Kong in women’s football, badminton, swimming, around 2007/2008, when I joined taking on a professional trainer, Matteo routes. The KOM/QOM (‘King/Queen of early June at the DCU campus, with 2022. “I’m saving already,” says Philippa, cycling and running. Orwell Wheelers. Part of it was knowing Sigala (of cigalacycling.com), to set the Mountain’) is hotly contested on just 1,300 players and 45 teams from 15 with a focus and determination that I had to get into good shape as I was performance targets ahead of the about every ascending road in the countries. The event also hosted a “We’re using it as a way to highlight the suggests another trip to the winner’s preparing for gender reassignment games. “By the beginning of August I country. dedicated women's tournament for the importance of physical activity to your podium is imminent n

12 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 13 Climate change BERNARD HARBOR says the recent O’Connor Photo: Joe surge of environmental concern is sustainable if unions take the lead. HasBernard Harbor. everything

gone green? Fórsa activists joined the second climate action protest in Dublin on 24th May as thousands of young Irish students called on the Government to back its demands on address the climate crisis.

Highlighting the recent announcement sectors like food and energy, which are “Of course there is an important role for

Photo: @niallshan (via Twitter) of job losses at Bord Na Móna, ICTU also among those most exposed by private enterprise and innovation. And, SINCE YOU read the last issue of the taxation, transport, housing and a wide general secretary Patricia King recently Brexit. as communities and individuals, we Fórsa magazine President Michael D range of public policy debates and called for a ‘Just Transition Forum’ to must adapt the way we eat, the way we Higgins has faced off with Donald decisions in the coming years. help develop alternative forms of shop, the ways we travel, how we use Trump on climate change, and former For instance, I’m writing this amid employment and ensure that energy and water, the homes we live in, President Mary Robinson (who now supports and resources are put in heads her own foundation for climate frenzied speculation about the effect of and the way we throw away our rubbish. Brexit on the Budget 2020, on the day place to assist workers and their justice) majored on the issue at ICTU’s “But only the public sector has the finance minister Paschal Donohoe wider communities. biennial conference. resources, the scale of organisation, the publishes his Summer Economic And she added that ICTU was infrastructure and the legislative and Also, the Green Party shone in local and Statement. But the impact of Britain’s working “to identify the regulatory heft to meet this challenge European elections here and in many EU exit – hard, soft or in-between – will opportunities that exist for new other EU countries, while Friends of the be paltry compared to the cost of forms of energy generation and head on, in the fast-declining time Earth declared the Government’s new measures to minimise climate change employment creation across the available,” he said. Climate Action Plan “the biggest and mitigate its impacts. sector.” innovation in Irish climate policy in 20 years.” More tangible work is needed in this Action and similar areas to demonstrate a He added that there was an opportunity Meanwhile, I nearly choked on my Alternatives sustained trade union commitment to veggie wrap when I heard that even “Only the public sector has the resources, to put collective action at the centre of the scale of organisation, the Michael D’s hard-hitting speech to the tackling climate change. This would lend McDonalds is to jettison much of its society through climate action. infrastructure and the legislative and European Federation of Public Service weight to our insistence that everyone plastic wrapping and replace its stores’ regulatory heft to meet this challenge Unions (EPSU), which took place in should benefit from the job-producing “We have had a planet-wide lesson in plastic straws with the paper variety. head on in the fast declining time Dublin in June, coincided with Trump’s and revenue-reaping new technologies effective, organised collective action in available” – Senior General Secretary and products that will facilitate the the form of the Global Climate Strikes, Then, closer to home, Fórsa’s incoming Designate Kevin Callinan addressing the trip to Britain and Ireland. This set the transition to a carbon-free future. led and run by school children and Senior General Secretary Kevin Callinan EPSU Congress in Dublin in May. scene for flamboyant front-page identified climate change as the biggest coverage of his criticism of the US This theme was taken up by Fórsa’s college students. These same challenge facing Ireland’s public required – now and over this decade – to withdrawal from the Paris climate incoming Senior General Secretary inspirational young people are services. And most unions rowed in to divert the planet from environmental agreement. when he welcomed EPSU delegates to experiencing – or facing into – low-paid, support the ‘School Strike for Climate’ disaster. Ireland. And he placed it in the context casual and insecure employment, which demonstrations staged by young people But will the press be as playful when of the challenge of making unions The President's hard-hitting speech at the is incapable of meeting the rising costs The strong performance of green in Irish cities and across Europe in May. necessary climate action is influencing attractive to young workers. EPSU Congress coincided with Trump’s of coming of age. parties in a lot of countries in the the scope for public spending or tax brief visit to Ireland, setting the scene for Phew! In just a couple of short months, European elections suggests a cuts? flamboyant front-page coverage of his “They live and work under the shadow of the issue of climate change seems significant appetite for change, criticism of the US withdrawal from the automation, with its capacity to make Trade unions will have to up their game Vulnerable Paris climate agreement. finally to have elbowed its way to the particularly among young people, their precarious position even less too. The issue of climate change top of the political, social and trade though the sceptics in my house (okay, Warning that we would quickly lose any But unions must go beyond the certain. union agenda. In the words of New Labour-supporting me) did find space to featured strongly at the EPSU relevance for young people if we fail to protection of the people we directly Order, everything’s gone green. Or has grumble about a generation that learned Congress, and on the Irish Congress of lead the fight for climate justice, he represent, to embrace and lead the We need to adapt our organisations, and it? how to vote green before mastering the Trade Unions’ (ICTU) July conference urged unions to build on the foundations imaginative policies and difficult actions our priorities, in ways that convince trick of turning off an electronic devise. agenda. of the ‘just transition’ approach. needed to confront the single most them that our movement – also rooted in catastrophic threat facing humanity,” he organised, participative, collective But there’s a serious point here. Climate But the union ‘just transition’ emphasis “Of course, we must insist on a just Sustainable? said. democracy and action – is available and action will demand more than general has mainly focussed on the necessary – transition that protects and invests in open to them in a changing world of That depends how sustainable the urge support for the environment. It requires but frankly inadequate – task of creating the sectors, regions, and communities And he placed public services at the work,” he said. for sustainability really is. Particularly radical changes to the way we live, and alternative employment for workers most vulnerable to the effects of centre of the necessary national and when we start to get to grips with the it’s also likely to have a profound impact most affected by a move towards a low- climate change and the many measures international response to climate Bernard Harbor is Fórsa’s head of radical changes experts say are on the public finances, employment, carbon economy. necessary to combat it. These include change. communications n

14 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 15 2019 divisional conferences April and May was a busy time for Fórsa member activists as the union hosted a series of divisional conferences in Monaghan, Kilkenny and Sligo. HAZEL GAVIGAN and DIARMAID MAC A BHAIRD have compiled this photo report. For more about Hazel Gavigan. Diarmaid Mac a the conferences visit forsa.ie Bhaird.

The Education conference took place in conference was told that automation focused on mental health, featuring a Carrickmacross, County Monaghan in must not threaten public service jobs or number of talks and workshops on the April. The focus was on equality and reduce the quality of services. issue, and building on the publication of respect for non-teaching staff, including results of a mental health survey for L-R; Linda McLinchey – Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Sarah Clarke – SNAs, school secretaries and Meanwhile, Fórsa’s ‘More Power to You’ healthcare professionals. Institute of Technology Carlow, Yvonne Magill – Dundalk Institute of Technology caretakers. campaign, which is seeking to restore greater autonomy to local government, Just up the road, the Services and and Mary Coughlan – Waterford Institute of Technology. The Civil Service and Local Government was a central feature of the Local Enterprises conference looked at the and Local Services divisional Government conference agenda. challenges of the gig economy, a Michael Cahill – Kilkenny Health and conferences took place simultaneously potential high-tech sweatshop (see page Local Government branch, collecting The last conferences of this busy in Kilkenny from the 8th-10th of May. 26), and passed a motion calling for any his distinguished service award at the Both conferences looked at reduced season took place in Sligo. The Health new pay improvements to apply in State Local Government conference in n working time, while the Civil Service and Welfare divisional conference agencies Kilkenny.

Delegates at the Health and Welfare division conference at the Sligo Clayton hotel.

Derek Mullen presents Christine Maguire of Dublin PRA Clerical branch with a distinguished service award. Jim Ryan of Revenue Executive Wladek Gaj from the Boards and Grades branch accepting a Voluntary Agencies branch distinguished service award on behalf participating in a Q&A during the PJ Keating receiving a distinguished service award from Dublin Care Services of colleague and friend Brian Wray. joint session on mental health in branch Chairperson Patricia Spratt and Senior General Secretary Designate Sligo's Clayton hotel. Kevin Callinan at Fórsa’s Health and Welfare division conference.

Daria Cibrario – Public Services It's all about details: Education International, speaking at the Local delegates go through the finer points Liz Fay and Paul Walsh – Cork Health Government conference in Kilkenny. with the Standing Orders Committee. and Local Government branch. Attendees at the Education conference stand for a minute’s silence in memory of Lyra McKee. 16 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 17 Fórsa offices – Galway Under a balmy western sky at the end of June, trade union activists, friends and colleagues gathered at Fórsa’s new offices in Galway city for the official opening. NIALL SHANAHAN reports.

Niall Shanahan.

Under Western Skies Maura Sweeney and Pat Hardiman.

Roscommon heroes Florie Hickey and Fiona Fallon. THE NEWLY expanded state-of-the-art office facilities in Galway’s Sean Mulvoy business park follows six months of complete reconstruction. The new facility will host branch, divisional and executive meetings, as well as act as a trade union hub for the region. President Ann McGee officiated over the opening along with Assistant General Secretary Padraig Mulligan. Ann’s Bernie Lally and Bernie Grace. speech extended an invitation to members, activists and other trade unions to visit and use the new premises. Beaming with pride, the Galway branch celebrate the grand opening: l-r; Maura Cahalan, Ann also paid tribute to the work and Padraig Mulligan, Helen Cousins, Bridin Feeney, Sean Purtill, Tom Browne, Elsa Edwardson, effort in recent months to complete the Evan Stapleton, Maura Sweeney, Marian O'Donoghue and Neil Murphy. new building.

Senior General Secretary Designate President Ann McGee officiated over the opening along with AGS Padraig Mulligan Kevin Callinan welcomed the opportunity and Senior General Secretary Designate Kevin Callinan. to be able to bring unions together, sharing their approach to organising “to achieve the collective aims of our movement.” Acknowledging the presence of “great friends” on the night, Kevin said Marie Kelly and Catherine Leonard. the new premises represented a fantastic achievement, made possible by a great union team. Sue Kelly, Audrey Lyon and General Manager Matt Staunton paid Kathleen McGee. tribute to SIPTU General Secretary Joe Cunningham, a guest on the night, for providing temporary office space to Fórsa staff during the construction. Sean Purtill makes a presentation to The Galway team: l-r; Jennifer Flaherty, Helen Cousins, Padraig Mulligan, Senior General Secretary Shay Cody Senior General Secretary Shay Cody on Maura Cahalan and Joan Keppel. recalled last year's strike and protest behalf of the Galway branch. rally by Fórsa’s Roscommon branch, and Elizabeth Madden, Catherine Kelly and Mary Carty. the support it drew from “the wider Fórsa family” and other unions. The June 2018 rally is now immortalised in the lobby of the new office, providing a backdrop to Great friendship: Brendan Fox and Kevin Callinan. our guest photos on the night. It was impossible not to notice the beaming faces of Padraig Mulligan, organiser Helen Cousins, the Galway office staff and local branch committee. The night represented the culmination of months of enormous hard work by all of them. Their warm welcome and obvious pride was complimented by the backdrop Stephanie Brennan, Rosaleen Flanagan L-r; Shay Kavanagh, Tom Murtagh, Peter Nolan, Helen Cousins,

Photos: Gerry Stronge Photos: Gerry of a beautiful summer evening n Ronan Bolger and Gerry Wilson. Aisling Fallon and Rose Sheridan. and Myra Mullarey. Tom Briskine and Shelia Duddy.

18 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 19 International Fórsa’s Limerick office on Roxborough Road plays host to a range of trade union activities and has become the trade union hub for the region. The building also hosts a number of pieces of modern art, as well as displaying commemorative material to mark the centenary of the Limerick Soviet. Those works have now been joined by a stunning and thought-provoking series of photographs from the Niall Shanahan. West Bank region of Palestine by HUGH MALALA, who spoke to NIALL SHANAHAN about the collection and his work in the region. From the West Bank to Limerick

I MET up with Hugh Malala at Fórsa’s should take photographs because I’d The EAPPI (eappi.org) describes its own Limerick office in April, as he was been there before and hadn’t taken a work as “A vision of justice and peace in working out his notice period from a civil camera. It’s simple, inexpensive. I can Palestine and Israel” that brings service post in the city. Hugh had made only shoot with the ‘auto’ settings. I’m a international human rights monitors to the decision to move on, to return to the complete spoofer really.” witness life under occupation. Ahmad’s land is not human rights monitoring work he did in Hugh’s genuine modesty is at odds with Palestine last year with the Ecumenical the selection of powerful photos. The Accompaniment Programme in “I’m always where it was yesterday series of thirty pictures are now Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). In May he arranged throughout the public spaces photographing at left Ireland again to take up a role in The featured photo, one of the thirty now on display in Fórsa’s Limerick in the Limerick offices. South Sudan. the point where the Witnesses offices, was taken on 13th June 2018 in Susiya, which is in the South Hebron “The whole six months was an amazing Hills. My opening question is about vulnerability of the crash-learning exercise, because the photography. I’d seen the photographs, Since 2002, the EAPPI has brought On the day in question, shepherd Ahmad took his flock to the furthest end of camera was an essential part of the job, which were exhibited in Dublin last civilian is at its highest, 1,800 ecumenical accompaniers to live his land, only to discover the ‘invisible line’ of his land boundary had been which was to observe soldiers as they December in an exhibition partly in the West Bank and monitor human moved again. This time by 100 metres, a discovery he made after he’d been were coming into contact with civilians. at the point where sponsored by Fórsa. The photos are rights, providing unarmed civilian threatened by three members of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The soldiers You’re putting yourself, as much as you striking, and capture the realities of things are not protection. “Basically it’s putting arrived at the behest of Israeli settlers. daily life in the West Bank with an eye can, into potential friction points going well.” unarmed, non-partisan civilians in for detail I hadn’t seen before. between civilians and the military. places where civilians and military “It’s not his land,” said one of the soldiers confidently. “You can see the way he encounter each other, where there’s left without arguing too much. He knows it isn’t his land.” “Any time a Palestinian is trying to friction,” he explains. “Everybody moderates access land, places of worship, The group provides a continuous Hugh explains that this systematic appropriation of land from Palestinian education or essential services, and presence of 25-30 ecumenical farmers is part of their daily experience. “The intention is to get them to give their behaviour when they have to go by the military, you’re accompaniers, each serving for at least “It’s not his land,” said up, abandon the land and move to the cities. there with them. You wear a jacket that three months (Hugh served for six they know they’re being “Palestinians are effectively being corralled into what’s called ‘Area A’, clusters identifies who you are, you’re visible, and months), and offering protective one of the soldiers of territory with the highest population density of Palestinians. Virtually all looked at by an outsider.” you’re photographing the exchanges presence and witness as Palestinian confidently. “You can see farming and herding land is in ‘Area C’. The goal is to take as much land with as that take place, and this moderates the civilians go about their daily lives. little people.” I’d assumed I was looking at the work of behaviour of the soldiers. Everybody The community-oriented organisation the way he left without a seasoned professional, and had moderates their behaviour when they was created in 2002 by the World arguing too much. He See more at hughmalala.com prepared a number of photography know they’re being looked at by an Council of Churches, following the related questions. But I was to have my outsider,” he says. Second Intifada, a period of intense knows it isn’t his land.” “I’m always photographing at the point end of 2018. He is delighted that the expectations confounded. Israeli–Palestinian conflict in 2000. where the vulnerability of the civilian is photos have now found a more The accompaniers are also encouraged at its highest, at the point where things permanent home, where they’ll be on One of the difficulties during the conflict Confidence to promote change on their return home. are not going well. I’m taking pictures to view to trade union members, activists Guilt was that there were no international deter an escalation of tension, so a lot of Hugh explains that the presence of and staff. peacekeepers or human rights monitors. That’s where the camera came in. the photos capture those kinds of “I wasn’t into photography before this monitors from the EAPPI also gives “No blue helmets” as Hugh explains. “Whenever a Palestinian walked by me moments,” he says. “It’s an ideal opportunity to share the trip at all.” Hugh laughs as he explains he confidence to the Palestinian civilians Church leaders in Jerusalem they’d say ‘soura! soura!’ which means bought the camera just two days before they accompany, as they know the subsequently came together and asked ‘picture! picture!’ because they know Hugh returned with a collection of experiences I had, and to provide some he left for Palestine. “I got the camera soldiers behaviour will be different in the the World Council of Churches to send that the moment pictures are taken around 3,000 pictures and selected insight into the experiences of ordinary out of a sense of guilt, a sense that I presence of an international monitor. unarmed peacekeepers. they’re going to be fine. thirty images to exhibit in Dublin at the people in the West Bank.” n

20 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 21 Workplace equality It’s no secret that Ireland has a sizeable To further facilitate a better balance, Derek also believes there should be gender pay gap, currently standing at 13.9%. greater encouragement for men to However, new figures released by the Civil utilise paternal and parental leave. He says management has a responsibility Service under Freedom of Information show to encourage men to exercise these that gap is far wider in government leave options and create a culture where it’s the new norm. Hazel Gavigan. departments. HAZEL GAVIGAN reports. Get the balance right

AS IT stands, only two out of 17 level. He explained that flexi-time, which secretary generals – the most senior is enjoyed by all civil servants up to the Geraldine O’Brien. post in the Civil Service – are women. Dr HEO grade, does not continue beyond Orlaigh Quinn in the Department of the grade. Not only does he want to see paternal Business, Enterprise and Innovation and and parental leave more widely used, “It shouldn’t be the case that once you Katherine Licken in the Department of Derek strongly believes there needs to move into more senior management, you should also facilitate a greater work/life Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. be more access to these schemes. can’t avail of schemes that facilitate balance for lower grades. The corresponding government family and caring responsibilities in the “I think what’s available to a father on Other factors that would help achieve ministers for these departments are same way as before. the birth of a child now is a little bit of greater parity include greater access to also women, of which there are only four tokenism. It’s better than it was but if “Clearly as you climb the ladder there remote working and equal subject out of 15 cabinet members. Female we’re real about achieving a shift in are more restrictions given the added access in single sex schools. Working representation at the top level remains society, there should be more leave and pressures you’re under. People must from home enables families to better at less than 12%, despite an initiative it should be the expectation that it’s have the opportunity to go for promotion balance caring responsibilities, while whereby women are favoured over men taken,” he says. and still maintain the same work/life exposing boys and girls to the same in promotion stakes if both candidates balance available to people in lower subjects in their education would reduce are equally qualified and capable. grades,” Derek said. occupational segregation further down Hours the line. Geraldine O’Brien and Andy Pike of Increased working time under the terms “There’s a culture in Fórsa’s equality committee echoed Geraldine was keen to make the point of the Haddington Road agreement also Derek Mullen. Derek’s view. that some women don’t want to move up senior roles of long had a heavily gendered effect. It hit low As you move up the ranks, the the career ladder as they’re very happy “There’s a culture in senior roles of long to middle income earners hardest, working hours. The percentage of women in more senior and comfortable with the position working hours. The stereotype suggests grades predominantly held by women. positions drastically drops, particularly they’re in and these are choices we need stereotype suggests that that this is the only route to promotion. once you pass the grade of higher to respect. She adds: “There are, But that simply isn’t a viable work/life this is the only route to executive officer (HEO). In nearly two- “Management has a however, other women who would balance for someone who also cares for Andy Pike. thirds of cases (nine out of 14 progress but there are barriers in their promotion. But that children, elderly relatives or responsibility to way. It’s our job as a trade union to departments,) there are more men than significant progress to be made. Fórsa dependents,” Andy said. remove those barriers or give them the simply isn’t a viable women occupying posts from assistant encourage men to was instrumental in progressing the new tools to remove them themselves,” she principal officer (AP) to secretary gender pay gap reporting legislation. work/life balance for exercise paternal and says. general. Roughly equal amounts of men Caring unpaid When it finally takes effect next year, someone who also cares and women are hired into entry level parental leave options Fórsa holds annual INSPIRE training companies will be obliged to interrogate for children, elderly posts, so why is there so little senior Whether we like to admit it or not, caring and create a culture seminars in conjunction with Women for their data, identify where problems arise female representation? responsibilities still fall predominantly Election. The aim is to equip and and develop specific measures to relatives or dependents.” on women. According to the CSO, two where it’s the new norm.” support women to advance in decision- address them. It’s our job as a union to thirds of all unpaid caring hours are making structures. The union’s new be ready to work with employers and Responsibilities provided by women. director of training, Linda Kelly, is keen strive for a more equal future, together. The pay gap is also evident in lower Fórsa has already committed itself to a to retain this initiative and develop it grades. The latest figures*, which Head of Fórsa’s Civil Service division, Granting flexi-leave at management mid-term review of the current Public *The figures reported do not include the further to encourage promotional emerged in response to a parliamentary Derek Mullen, outlined a number of level would allow women better balance Service Stability Agreement whereby Departments of Agriculture, Food and aspirations. question by Fianna Fáil TD Barry contributing factors, the most their responsibilities at work and at the union will seek a restoration of pre- the Marine; Communications, Climate Cowen, reveal that 72% of clerical significant being the lack of flexible home, and therefore encourage more crisis working hours (see our report on We have come a long way since the days Action and Environment; and Education officers are women. working arrangements beyond HEO women to pursue promotion. working time on page 10). This, in turn, of the marriage bar but there’s still and Skills n

22 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 23 EPSU Congress One of the featured debates at the EPSU conference in Dublin in May was a panel discussion on privatisation and winning the battle for quality public services. NIALL SHANAHAN spoke to one of the panellists, CAT HOBBS, who founded the UK’s We Own It campaign, which aims to reverse the privatisation of UK public services. Niall Shanahan.

‘Privatisation, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and private finance: Winning the battle for quality public services’: (from left) the Dublin debate was chaired by Philippe Pochet of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and featured Cat Hobbs, Bjørn Pettersen, Fagforbundet (Norway) and Myriam Planas, Enginyeria Sense Fronteres (ISF, Spain).

Aggressive evidence of a trend towards insourcing many years with private companies. So Taking back public services. they’re actually thinking twice about An aggressive programme of that now and looking to get out of those Based on a major research project outsourcing and privatisation was types of contracts as soon as they can,” carried out by the University of created in the UK, almost 40 years ago, she says. Liverpool, Rebuilding capacity: the case during the Thatcher administration. For for insourcing contracts examined decades the mantra had been that recent trends in insourcing (or re- nothing (not even, it seems, the public Climate change municipalisation) and some of the key interest) should stand in the way of arguments for the process. During the EPSU panel discussion in private profit. control Dublin, the subject of climate change The report includes six detailed case The National Health Service (NHS), the studies from different municipalities came up quite often, revealing a jewel in the crown of UK public services, across the UK, involving a range of local consensus view among the European has become something of a final government services. A survey of APSE trade unions that public services have a battleground. Aside from the challenges members found 73% of respondents central role to play in the response to “AFTER 30 years, it’s clear that of meeting the needs of a growing and had insourced, or were in the process of the threat of environmental collapse. privatisation of our public services has ageing UK population (and being sued insourcing, one or more services. Cat agrees: “Public ownership of public failed. It's time for public ownership. We by privately owned firms like Richard services can deliver things that the use it, we pay for it, we own it” – that’s Branson’s Virgin Care, one of many “The shift toward private sector can’t. Not alone has the the message of the We Own It looking to poach NHS services into private sector failed to deliver public campaign. Its continuing mission: to private control), its very existence could insourcing is driven by services, it’s failing to tackle climate campaign against privatisation and be under threat in a post-Brexit some very practical change, because private companies are make the case for public ownership. environment, potentially placed on the considerations. When the not motivated to do that.” Since it launched in 2013 We Own It table in a trade deal negotiation with the has won a campaign to stop the US. cracks begin to show, With a growing debate in the UK about the need for a ‘Green New Deal’ - an privatisation of NHS professionals, With so much at stake, it’s clear to see councils often say ‘let’s do economic stimulus package to address helped to stop the privatisation of the why We Own It has won so much climate change and economic inequality Land Registry and has joined with popular support. Furthermore, the this ourselves because – Cat says she’s excited to hear the others to push back the privatisation of prevailing wisdom of Thatcher’s we can do it better.” debate has become more widespread Network Rail, the public sector body privatisation agenda is at odds with the across Europe. that owns and operates the railway emerging body of evidence. Cat Hobbs is hugely encouraged, infrastructure in England, Wales and She says a ‘Green New Deal’ won’t be EPSU’s 2019 publication Public and though unsurprised, by the findings. Scotland. delivered if we’re “prodding and poking” Private Sector Efficiency points to the “My understanding is that the shift at private companies trying to get them growing body of research that shows, toward insourcing is driven by some very to do what’s necessary for the sake of “I believe public consistently, that there is no empirical practical considerations. It’s often humanity and the planet. services are the best, evidence that the private sector is Conservative councils who are intrinsically more efficient. insourcing. It’s often more expensive to Cat concludes: “We need to take control, most civilised, and if we want to reduce carbon It states: “The same results emerge outsource even though the private firms emissions to zero by 2030, conserve wonderful thing that consistently from sectors and services are undermining workers terms and water, look after the environment, help which are subject to outsourcing, such conditions. human beings have people transition, provide better public as waste management, and in sectors “Another driver is quality. In the delivery “After 30 years, it’s clear that privatisation of our public services has failed” – transport and produce clean, green ever invented.” Cat Hobbs is the founder of the We Own It campaign, which is campaigning to privatised by sale, such as telecoms. If of public services this simply isn’t a energy, all of those things are going to reverse a 40 year trend of privatising the UK’s public services. private companies are no more efficient priority for private suppliers. When the be better delivered with public We Own It on a technical level, then the usual case cracks begin to show, councils often say was founded by Cat Hobbs ownership. (“in my bedroom, on my laptop”) in 2013. years, and won a more frequent local rail Privatisation has failed for over 30 for privatisation collapses.” ‘let’s do this ourselves because we can Hobbs is a proud champion of public service in Bristol before campaigning years. The evidence and the public are do it better.’ “I think the two things go very much services: “I believe public services are nationally. My parents work for the NHS against it. hand in hand. It’s exciting that public “Flexibility is another consideration. the best, most civilised, wonderful thing and I hugely admire what they do. Insourcing ownership can play a key role in helping “I wanted to make the case for public Local authorities need to be able to that human beings have ever invented. us tackle this challenge. It’s the biggest “So when the government started ownership. Not "going back to the More recently, a report by the improve services, to make changes, to challenge we’ve ever faced.” “I've always loved public services. I privatising the NHS and selling off the 1970s" but going forwards to a better Association for Public Service respond to circumstances. They can’t do campaigned for better trains for over 10 Royal Mail, I began joining the dots. future,” she explains. Excellence (APSE) in the UK provides that if they’re locked into contracts over Find out more at weownit.org.uk n 24 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 25 Workers’ rights Image: Pierre Kleinhouse Technology is changing the way we work, driving greater But if you’re a gig employee who’s struggling to pick up enough hours or flexibility in a digital and on-demand system in which worker jobs to pay the bills, and further forced protection legislation is struggling to keep up. We may have the to spend most of your time chasing payment by employers (check out freedom to pick up work that suits us, facilitated by smartphone Aingeala Flannery’s excellent column on technology, but the new tech carries with it the ghoulish models page 34 for a first-hand account of how common, and frustrating, this practice of 19th Century exploitation that the Labour movement was has become in the media industry), you’ll Niall Shanahan. instrumental in dismantling. NIALL SHANAHAN looks at recent quickly learn that this bright new shiny model of employment is just old- developments, and the need for unions to meet the challenge. fashioned exploitation dressed up to disguise ugly new realities.

Conference That was the message delivered by Fórsa official Ashley Connolly to Brand new and delegates at the union’s Services and Enterprises divisional conference in Sligo in May. Ashley warned delegates that the ‘gig economy’ has created a new field of employment governed by developing technology, but that there’s old fashioned: the a real and substantial risk that workers are being set up for good old-fashioned exploitation. “While the offer – and the manner in which the The food-delivery service Deliveroo has employment relationship is managed – is over 900 riders in Irish cities and it’s rise of the high developers are hailed closer in form to the piecework and reported it receives over 400 new ‘rider’ as futurist visionaries, sweatshops of the 19th Century applications weekly. While plans to garment trade. expand Uber’s ride-hailing service the type of work on “Technology is pointing forward, but across Irish cities have not secured the offer – and the manner there is a substantial risk that workers approval of National Transport are being re-directed to models of past Authority, the company plans to grow its tech sweatshop in which the employment exploitation. There’s no future in Centre of Excellence in Limerick as it relationship is reducing employment to a high tech continues to focus on markets in sweatshop. Europe, Asia and the Middle East. managed – is closer “Let’s not forget – when you strip it all Outside of these developments, Ashley in form to the piecework back – somebody somewhere is required says the union has seen the erosion of THE GIG economy is defined as “a free Embedded and sweatshops to ensure that all this fantastic full-time permanent roles in favour of market system in which temporary technology can operate,” she said. seasonal employment in the aviation positions are common and organisations With these kind of arguments, and aided of the 19th Century industry as part of a growing trend for contract with independent workers for by app-based technology, the gig the casualisation of work. short-term engagements.” garment trade.” Erosion economy has developed quickly and “Some contracts are now “fly only” It’s a highly polished way of describing a ruthlessly to the point where it has Speaking to a motion by the Cabin Crew Ashley has warned that, left unchecked, contracts. As the name suggests, the system of employment where all of the embedded itself quite comfortably branch, calling for the union to the development of app-controlled employee is only paid if they actually fly, risk, costs and responsibilities are inside the economy, and legislation is commission research into the potential piecework will spell trouble for the they’re not compensated for ground undertaken by ‘independent workers’ struggling to keep pace. impact of the gig economy on its economy, incur a loss of revenue to the duties or standby,” she explains. It is this while the organisation that has members, Ashley said the recent exchequer and create instability for temporarily hired them takes the most The digital, on-demand, nature of the introduction of the Employment workers who can no longer rely on a trend that prompted cabin crew to seek substantial slice of available profit. services available has also proved a hit (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, to fixed income, with no protections or research into the gig economy. with consumers. The ‘Uberisation’ of protect workers on insecure contracts, benefits. Examples of gig employees in the Ashley told delegates in Sligo that the services like food delivery and car was welcome but that challenges workforce include freelancers, Meanwhile, the growth figures in the gig union needs to be able to strike a services have bypassed any consumer remain for employment law to keep pace independent contractors, project-based economy reveal its considerable balance between facilitating flexible concerns about the working conditions with changes in the economy and the workers and temporary or part-time momentum, and its capacity to disrupt working conditions and protecting of the people who deliver those workforce. hires. It is characterised by short-term, more than just the job market. employees from exploitation, ensuring services. payment-by-task arrangements, zero- She said: “The emerging trend in protection for all workers regardless of In Ireland, Airbnb has over 23,000 hours and ‘if and when’ contracts. A bit like the popularity of low-cost air freelance work has been facilitated by a the employment relationship. active listings. A considerable number of Ashley Connolly. rapid development in technology. The Advocates of this new model of work (it travel, consumers don’t like to think too its listings, especially in urban areas, development of these apps has had a The alternative is to allow the workers’ remains a bright new shiny plaything for They will also argue that, from the hard about how the low cost and would otherwise be available on the disruptive effect on traditional models rights clock slip back 200 years while a lot of employers and corporations) will perspective of the freelancer, the gig convenience is actually subsidised by private housing market, and the of work and the service they provide are we’re all staring at our smartphones. argue that people tend to change jobs economy can improve work-life balance the worker driving them to the airport, company’s business model has been hailed as revolutionary. several times throughout their working over most jobs, because it’s powered by delivering their late-night curry or selling cited in many cities as a contributory See also: Holding the paymasters to lives and say the gig economy can be independent workers selecting jobs that them a scratch card on board their “But, while the developers are hailed as factor to a shortage of long-term account by Aingeala Flannery on page seen as an evolution of that trend. they're interested in. flight. futurist visionaries, the type of work on housing. 34 n

26 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 27 Branch news Podcasting is having a bit of a moment. The medium has given rise Photo: Rodrigo Frade. to a whole new generation of DIY broadcasters, attracting millions of followers. Every interest is catered to in the podcasting world, though there’s been little enough podcasting by trade unions so far. Fórsa’s Sligo Health and Local Government branch has changed all that, and has officially launched the union’s first regular podcast. Niall Shanahan. NIALL SHANAHAN met up with the branch to find out more. On the air: the Sligo Network

I’M ALWAYS keen to know what’s going Stronger Together is now the official easily. I believe members will like the on in Rodrigo Frade’s mind. Having first podcast of Fórsa’s Sligo Health and idea of being able to click on and hear met him a few years ago on the union’s Local Government branch, and went live new information as it becomes member activist training programme, I on the Anchor podcasting platform at available,” she says. was struck by his enthusiasm for new the end of May. You can also listen to it She says the branch plans to use the initiatives for reaching out to union on Spotify and on Apple Podcasts. podcast to provide quick and practical members and recruiting new people. The podcast is presented by Rodrigo answers to members’ questions and to Along with his friend and branch (‘Rod’ to his friends on the branch) and broadcast local branch news. colleague Ed Harte, Rodrigo set up a branch PRO Irene Tiernan. Irene works series of very informal, and very in the Garda Vetting Liaison Office in “Myself and Rod effective, meet-and-greet workplace Manorhamilton, while Rodrigo works as meetings. The ‘Huddle Initiative’ proved an occupational therapist with the HSE discussed the idea how we would do it, in the end, it Rodrigo Frade, Irene Tiernan, Ed Harte and Nuala Fowley of a big hit in the North West, as the team in Sligo. and I loved it because seemed to make sense to just go for it. Sligo's Health and Welfare Branch. went around workplaces offering to “One evening I received a text message “The podcast has a similar objective to trade union activists. This only serves to and we recorded an episode there and answer members’ questions, welcoming I was looking for a new from Rod, we met up and he mentioned the Huddle Initiative, this time make what they’ve achieved so far so then during their lunchbreak. non-members to find out more about the the word ‘podcast’ and that’s something embracing the technology that allows us much more impressive. union, and generally creating a feel- way of getting the Irene’s philosophy is that it works as I’ve a huge interest in. I listen to a lot of to reach beyond the workplace,” he good factor while dealing with the Rodrigo and Irene talk me through the long as they’re enjoying the process of them,” explains Irene. message out there.” explains. practical nuts and bolts of union recording and publishing schedule of the creating the podcast. “We need to be business. “If you want to know about mindfulness next few weeks, proving themselves well enjoying it. We get along well and we “We’re also hoping to feature members or what’s happening in the world of “We’re making a podcast,” organised and both are bursting with enjoy having a bit of fun while we’re and officials as guests on the podcast. MMA (I’m assuming this is a sort of ‘A to ideas for fresh content. putting the podcasts together, and I “The podcast is We think it’ll provide a new and very he said. This was good Z’ example Irene is giving), you listen to a think that should come across to the innovative way to enhance our branch Rodrigo is very focussed on the planning presented by podcast. listener.” n communications, to get people involved news, I knew he’d do a side of things. “When I spoke to Irene Rodrigo (‘Rod’ to his “I listen to the Bonko Wellness podcast in the conversation and boost the great job. I was also a first I had a very definite scheme in friends on the branch) (from the yoga studio of the same name visibility of the work of our branch,” she mind. Fifteen minutes of content, an in Claremorris and Castlebar) and Joe says. little jealous that they’d hour to edit, another hour to get a new Rogan, that’s where my interest episode up online.” and branch PRO Rodrigo explains that he follows a lot of beaten me to it.” stemmed from. Irene Tiernan.” ‘geek’ podcasts as well as a lot of Rodrigo and Irene have scheduled “Myself and Rod discussed the idea and podcasts by some local people. “The Irene and Rod got to work pretty much production so that they can do the I loved it because I was looking for a new Kendy and Raybo podcast is a personal immediately. “Within a week or so we recording together during their I bumped into Rodrigo at our Health & You can listen to the Sligo branch way of getting the message out there. I favourite, I listen to it religiously every were on the air. We both have a huge lunchbreak from work. They’ll meet for Welfare divisional conference in May, podcast 'Stronger Together' don’t think we’ve been doing enough to week. They’re local musicians and their interest, Rod had all the technology, so an hour but aim to record a couple of which took place in Sligo. He took me to on anchor.fm, Apple Podcasts contact members in a way that connects podcast is great fun. we were ready to go,” says Irene. podcasts each time. one side and confided to me in hushed and Spotify. You can also listen with them,” she says. tones that he was cooking up a new “We’re always open to finding new ways The production requirements to When I told Rodrigo I wanted to back on the Fórsa website, just idea. “We’re making a podcast,” he said. Irene believes a podcast is more to communicate with our members. prepare, record, edit and publish 15 interview them for the magazine he enter the search term 'Sligo This was good news, I knew he’d do a accessible than an email or printed Myself and Ed (Harte) talked a lot about minutes of fresh audio content each agreed on one small condition, that I podcast' into the search great job. I was also a little jealous that communications. “I like to be able to go starting a podcast and there was a long week makes a lot of demands on the would join them as a guest for the function at forsa.ie. they’d beaten me to it. online and get access to stuff more period of wondering if we should do it, time and energy of these volunteer podcast. I didn’t need any convincing,

28 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 29 Culture vulture people with a strong focus on the local Photo: Jason Sheridan. Common Ground is a local arts organisation based in Inchicore, area. Part of its mission is to influence and is in the business of making art happen in the urban villages regeneration and redevelopment through the integration of the arts and of Dublin’s South West inner city. Bringing local people and culture into development plans. artists together, powered by a belief in the transformative power In this capacity Common Ground has of the arts, this small powerhouse has survived and thrived worked closely with the communities of Fatima, Dolphin House and St Michael’s against all odds for 20 years. NIALL SHANAHAN reports. Estate. Niall Shanahan. Complimenting this type of work have been projects like Music for Me, which saw ten musicians working with after- school projects in each of the three Planting ideas in communities. “The children worked with different established composers, like Elaine Agnew, and performed in the National Gallery. There were really beautiful uncommon ground projects that emerged from that. 120 children took part overall,” says Siobhán. With justifiable pride, she adds that the

Photo: Jason Sheridan. children participated in the multi-year musical project for free.

Photo: Jason Sheridan. activity in the area. The objective was to Mark Holburn installation and find ways of embedding the arts in an performance at Kilmainham Jail (Citizen Artist 2016-2018). area marked by poverty and disadvantage. Reduced to a shorter working week for Common Ground is directed by a more than six years, Siobhán and Ger voluntary board with experience in the only had their full working week areas of arts, community development, restored in November 2018. business, education and youth work. Siobhán says working conditions are a The organisation’s 20-year history has problem throughout the community and been one of thriving against the odds, arts sectors, and much depends on as each year they work very hard to where the funding is coming from. “We’re working in a precariously funded Painter Pat Curran with one secure the necessary funding to keep of his paintings of St Michael's going. sector, with precarious contracts. Most Estate (Citizen Artist 2016-2018). of us have no pensions. Most of us are At the height of the economic crisis women. Most of us are on a low wage, Despite its size, the range and depth of Common Ground lost its funding from and most of us have not had a wage rise the work is considerable. the City of Dublin Youth Services Board since 2007,” she says. In Rialto, Common Ground manages (CDYSB). “It was devastating. The Studio 468 at St Andrew’s Community CDYSB had paid for the post of an arts Centre, a dedicated full-time art studio facilitator who had worked with us for Independence which has hosted around 24 artists over eight years. It was a huge loss to us,” 19 years, working closely with the local Siobhán says. The current office is one in a series of community. Photo: Ronan McCaul. temporary locations they’ve occupied locally. This summer they will take up More recent projects include Citizen residence in the gate lodge of I’M AN Inchicore native, born and bred. detained after the 1916 Easter Rising. Common ground's HARD/GRAFT project: Artist (2016-2018) which hosted a Goldenbridge cemetery. The Glasnevin Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, the It stands facing a large green space Artist Seoidín O’Sullivan worked with local community groups to graft native Irish range of collaborations with artists Trust is currently putting the finishing presence of the arts in Inchicore was where St Michael’s Estate (and trees from the Lambe Clarke Seoidín O’Sullivan, Laragh Pittman, touches to the modest space, which will remote, but it was a thriving community previously the tenement buildings of Collection in UCD. Fiona Reilly, Mark Holburn and painter house both offices and two artist’s steeped in history, if not resources. Keogh Square) once stood. Ground’s only staff – are scheduling and Pat Curran. workspaces. In the urban village of Inchicore today, Opposite are the old grounds of the programming a range of art projects The project included a publication, The move to the gate lodge brings some the ebb and flow of economic boom and former Goldenbridge convent. The late that will be delivered in Inchicore, Rialto performances and an exhibition hosted much needed certainty to the bust is etched into the streetscape Christine Buckley was instrumental in and Bluebell over the next year. at Kilmainham Jail. It included the organisation. “Our main strengths are through which the M7 commuter traffic highlighting the abuse of children once The organisation supports artists to innovative HARD/GRAFT project, with that we’re independent and files each weekday evening. detained there. develop their work in collaboration with artist Seoidín O’Sullivan working with autonomous, we have a good board and Gentrification is sporadically visible. Times have changed. The old convent the local community. “We have a strong local community groups to graft native great staff and artists, and we just get The powerhouse team: The ancient Goldenbridge cemetery sits building is now home to a number of connection with the communities in Irish trees from the Lambe Clarke on with it,” says Siobhán. Siobhán Geoghegan (left) and Ger Nolan by the Grand Canal. Designated by community based organisations, which we work. We introduce theatre Collection in UCD. of Common Ground. Ger adds: “I meet people sometimes, Glasnevin Trust as a conservation including the local employment service. makers, musicians, visual artists and But it was only the beginning. Artists’ with whom we’ve had a connection over cemetery, two former Taoisigh are artists of other disciplines, to fees and arts programmes for children the years, and they marvel at the fact buried here, WT Cosgrave and his son communities we believe will work well Origins and young people had to be cut, as well we still exist. From year to year, people Liam. Collaboration together,” Siobhán explains. Common Ground was established in July as staff hours. Like many organisations in our sector know how hard it is to keep The renovated Richmond Barracks are In a tiny office on the first floor, Siobhán Common Ground run a wide range of 1999, emerging from a study by in the sector, there were “very difficult going, the fact that the good work has adjacent, where 3,000 Irish rebels were Geoghegan and Ger Nolan - Common programmes for children and older researcher Alan Tweedie about cultural conversations” with stakeholders. continued is remarkable.” n 30 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 31 EPSU Congress EPSU is Europe’s largest trade union federation, representing eight million public service workers from 265 trade unions. Irish affiliates include Fórsa, Siptu, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the Energy Services Union (ESU), and the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS). Craig Whelan. Fighting For A Future For All

10th Congress of the European Federation of Public Service Unions

EPSU BRINGS together public service trade unions from across Europe, and represents eight million public service workers across the continent. The four- day event saw over 550 delegates gather in the RDS to debate and devise a programme of action for a fair future. The theme of the conference was Fighting For A Future For All with delegates discussing the need for trade unions to embrace digitalisation, the continuing fight against privatisation, The Congress was opened by An tUachtarán Michael D. Higgins, who urged and how trade unions can work in more trade unions to “seize the opportunity of collaborative ways to build solidarity providing a lead role in developing a Esther Lynch, Deputy General Secretary of and union power. strategy for a ‘just transition’ for workers the European Trade Union Confederation and communities to ensure that we are all (ETUC) and Fórsa member, spoke about the See also our featured stories from the part of a sustainable, low-carbon economy need to dedicate more resources so that EPSU Congress on pages 12 and 14 n and benefit from decent and green jobs.” public servants “can do their job properly.”

Fórsa's EPSU delegation. L-R: Billy Hannigan, Peter Nolan, Angela Kirk, Andy Pike, Hazel Gavigan, Joe O'Connor, Margaret Coughlan, Kevin Callinan, Ann McGee, Eoin Ronayne, Catherine Keogh, Grace Williams. The magazine for Fórsa members 33 Irish Congress of Trade Unions

One in four people will be over 65 years by 2040. The Irish Congress GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL CONGRESS’S RESPONSE of Trade Unions has long highlighted the need for a radical change in Target membership policy to fix our low pension coverage. In 2022, the Government will Auto-enrolment will apply to all employees who are: n Include self-employed with no employees. n aged between 23 and 60 years; and n Set lower age threshold same as PRSI, 16 years. begin one of the most significant developments in supplementary n earning €20,000 or above; and n Raise upper age threshold above 60 for new entrants. pension provision by introducing ‘auto-enrolment’. Congress Social n not a member of a pension scheme. n No lower income threshold. Policy Officer DR LAURA BAMBRICK explains what’s proposed and Contribution rates Dr Laura Bambrick how Congress believes it can be improved. n Workers will contribute a minimum 6% gross earnings. n Workers contribution graduated from 1% to n Employers will match workers’ contribution. 5% on first €20,000. A flat 5% contribution on

Photo: dreamstime.com. n State will contribute €1 for every €3 a worker saves. remaining earnings. Contributions to be gradually phased in 2022 – 2027. n Employers contribute a flat 7% on all earnings. Population n State contributes €1 for every €2.50 a worker saves. Opting out, re-enrolment and saving suspension n Participation will be compulsory for 6 months. n Merge the opt-out, re-enrolment and saving n Workers who opt out re-enrolled every 3 years. suspension features into a time-limited n Workers can suspend contributions in limited circumstances. ‘contribution holiday’, which can be claimed as a ageing, low n Employer and State contributions will stop if a worker single continuous period or any number of suspends savings. separate periods. n Employer and State to continue contributing during pension a worker’s contribution holiday. Operational model n Workers will have access to a range of retirement saving n Collect contributions in the same way as social products from approved pension providers via a newly insurance: the employer deducts the worker’s established Central Processing Authority (CPA). contributions at source, the employer and worker coverage n Workers’ contributions will be deducted by employers contributions are then collected by Revenue and directly from wages and transferred to the CPA. The CPA all contributions noted on pay slip. remit contributions to the pension provider. n Revenue to remit the contributions to a State fund.

Service providers and auto- n CPA will tender every 5-10 years for 4 commercial providers n One provider, a public fund e.g. the NTMA. for provision of pension saving products. n The NTMA to contract out management and n Workers will be responsible for selecting one of the 4 investment of proportions of the fund. providers and a saving option. n The 0.5% maximum management fee is excessive. enrolment n A maximum management fee of 0.5% p.a. Draw-down arrangements n Workers can draw-down their fund at State pension age n State provision of annuities that take the form WE'RE GETTING older. Not only as sector workers are, compared to only whole. If consumer demand is to be as a lump sum, annuity or other retirement products of top-up payment on State pension, similar to an individuals, but as a country too. one in three workers (35 per cent) in the maintained into the future, we need permitted under pension and tax law. earnings related pension. The more contributions Ireland's birth rate is at the lowest level private sector. pensioners to have sufficient money to made by and on behalf of the worker, the higher since records began in 1864 and, at the continue spending on non-essential their State pension. At €248.30 per week, the contributory same time, we are living longer than goods and services. previous generations. Women can now State Pension is only slightly more than the minimum income required to prevent Auto-enrolment will legally require worker will once again be automatically tax relief on pension contributions. expect to live to an average 83.6 years, employers to include all employees, who enrolled into the scheme by their a pensioner from living in poverty. The purpose of auto-enrolment is to get and men to 79.9 years of age. Auto-enrolment meet certain age and income criteria employer, with the option to opt-out workers and employers who are As a result of these two trends – fewer Consequently, workers without a Congress has long highlighted the need and who are not already members of an after the compulsory period has passed. second pension to supplement their approved occupational pension, into a currently not contributing to an babies and increasing life expectancy – for a radical change in policy to fix our Auto-enrolment has proven to be hugely new retirement saving scheme and to occupational pension scheme to start almost one in four of our population will State Pension are at risk of a big drop in low pension coverage. successful at increasing pension make a minimum mandatory saving for a financially secure be over 65 years of age in the next 20 their living standards in old age. coverage in many countries, including There is currently no legal obligation on contribution. Workers will also have to retirement. years. In other words, while the State Pension Australia, New Zealand and the UK, who employers to provide or contribute to an make a minimum contribution into their While we do have concerns around will keep the wolf from your door it will have very similar pension systems to the occupational pension for their pension pot, and this will be topped up some features of the draft system the not stretch to cover the holidays, Irish system. Ill-prepared workforce. Added to this, pensions are by the State. Government has proposed, which are dinning-out or other luxuries you had overly complex and not sufficiently There will be a limited opportunity for outlined in the table above, Congress Recent figures on pension coverage enjoyed on your pre-retirement income. understood to get low- and middle- workers to opt-out of the scheme after a Saving agrees in principle with the introduction released by the state’s statisticians at income workers saving towards a With the growth in the proportion of the short period of compulsory membership. of auto-enrolment as the most the CSO show that we are ill-prepared financially secure retirement. Auto-enrolment will be an additional population aged over 65, the Upon opting out their personal appropriate way of increasing pension for population ageing. pension instrument alongside all importance of discretionary income in In 2022, the Government will begin one contributions will be returned to them coverage, income adequacy for existing measures. Less than half of all workers are saving retirement is no longer solely a private of the most significant developments in and their employer and the State will pensioners, and employer responsibility for their retirement in an occupational or matter. It is fast becoming a matter of supplementary pension provision by cease making contributions to their It is not being introduced to replace or to contribute to their workers’ living private pension – 90 per cent of public grave importance to the economy as a introducing ‘auto-enrolment’. pension savings. After three years, the undermine either the State Pension or standards in old age n

34 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 35 Opinion Across the economy employers have been deliberately in which only employers benefit. came in 2008 I held a staff position, I turned gamekeepers. No doubt, they Contractors are not entitled to paid was on paid maternity leave, I had were concerned about their career misclassifying workers as self-employed subcontractors so as holiday and sick leave, or to paid pension, holiday and sick pay prospects, but certainly there were a to dodge their social insurance and pension contributions, paternity and maternity leave. They can entitlements. I was given parental leave number who believed their interest in be laid off without notice, have no because my child was sick, and my public affairs would be better placed established pay rates, sick pay, and maternity benefits. The redundancy entitlements, and very duties were filled by a freelancer until I working in politics. I don’t agree, but practice is costing the State hundreds of millions of Euro, limited access to social welfare because was able to return. I was an employee, given the state of play, it was nobody has been paying employers’ and an expensive one at that. The understandable. AINGEALA FLANNERY considers the reasons we are only PRSI on their behalf. This loss to the company was paying maternity benefit, Newspaper reports about RTÉ’s top Aingeala Flannery. exchequer is the rock on which rogue PRSI and pension contributions on my grasping the extent of the problem now. earners have created a perception that employers will perish. behalf. I can only suppose they thought I journalists are well-paid, when most of was worth it. them are, in fact, members of what the “The upshot is where The bust was brutal on media, media itself has termed ‘the precariat’. we previously had a advertising revenue plummeted and the Students of journalism have only begun Holding paymasters need to cut costs was immediate. to understand that there is no lucrative black economy, we Payroll was the softest target, which and glamorous career waiting for them now have a grey one meant last in-first out (cheaper upon graduation. In order to get a foot in redundancy) and salary cuts for those the door they will work for nothing as in which only who were retained. This was expected interns, in much the same way to account employers benefit.” and therefore accepted, it was apprentices serve their time. happening across the economy. To cover shifts, staff were hired on a no strings It’s estimated that the State is missing

Photo: dreamstime.com. basis, and unpalatable as that was, it out on hundreds of millions of Euro “Significantly, the was perceived as a temporary measure annually in unpaid PRSI. Employment that would dig us out of a hole. After a only self-critical and Social Affairs Minister Regina couple of years, like a slow creeping rot, Doherty has raised the issue at Cabinet media reports on self-employed freelance work for and we are told there will be measures journalists became the norm. bogus self-employment to crack down on bogus self- employment. As you might expect, Ibec Those of us who were staff spent our have come from RTÉ.” are unhappy. The media, which had been days alongside colleagues who earned conspicuously silent on the matter, has less for doing the same work, with no They will pitch for work, under-pricing entered the fray, and the commentary entitlements. The best they could hope themselves in order to get the gig, and has primarily pointed the finger at the for was making it onto the payroll, which then like other sole traders they will construction industry, where one-in-four meant their employer’s PRSI was being spend a frustrating amount of time workers is now classified as self- paid. Those of us fortunate enough to be chasing unpaid invoices. But they will be employed. ‘staff’ sat at our keyboards, like the reluctant to complain because they need monkeys that guard the Tōshō-gū shrine; Having read and listened with interest the work and if they are seen as seeing, hearing and speaking no evil. to tradesmen, cleaners, and software troublemakers they won’t have a hope of engineers discussing the bogus self- getting a permanent contract should employment trap with journalists, it one arise. seems to me the media is “If journalists are So much for holding power to account, simultaneously wringing and washing its for calling out unfairness, for speaking hands over the matter. I have yet to hear too afraid to speak up without fear or favour. Significantly, or read a journalist who feels they are out because of the only self-critical media reports on being exploited in this way. Yet I have bogus self-employment have come from worked alongside countless who do, and misplaced self-interest, RTÉ. It began with a Drivetime who complain bitterly in private. how can they be investigation into how freelancers at the The reason it has taken us so long to trusted to report on state broadcaster were carrying out the realise the enormity of our problem with same work as permanent staff without bogus self-employment is two-fold. matters that are in any of the benefits. RTÉ has since Firstly, workers in this position do not the public interest?” agreed to review the status of over one have union representation. Secondly, hundred contractors after an reporters who should have been writing independent report found their positions RECENT MEDIA reports and needed to cut costs to stay afloat and contractors. If where and when you work about it are working in organisations ‘had attributes akin to employment’. What good are journalists who are afraid commentary about bogus self- workers accepted diminished terms and is under somebody else’s control, if your where the practice is well-established. to speak out? These were strange, Journalists are not more entitled to fair employment have really stuck in my conditions in order to stay in pay and hours are set, if you work for The fact is, the media industry as an unchartered and unchecked times in treatment than plasterers, or coders, or craw. What is the government going to employment. What was perceived as a one business and are not permitted to employer was an early adopter of the Irish media. Concentration of ownership cleaners. But the issue of media do about exploitative employers who short-term solution evolved to become subcontract your work, then you are to strategy, and journalists, like other and conflict of interest were huge companies that have a policy of staffing take on freelancers to do the work of the norm, and is now endemic. I have all intents and purposes an employee workers who are unsure of where they issues, but not ones that were openly their newsrooms with fake freelancers employees? It’s a good question, but a met plumbers, electricians, English and should be treated as such. These stand, have been minded not to poke and honestly discussed in newspapers has serious ramifications for all workers. better one is why has it taken the media language teachers, cleaners, guidelines are being flouted across all their heads above the parapet. or on the radio. There was a forbidding If journalists are too afraid to speak out so long to ask? If you believe (and I do) copywriters, nail technicians, couriers, sectors of the economy, but since they I know this because I worked for almost sense of not biting the hand that feeds because of misplaced self-interest, how that journalists should hold power to and above all, journalists who are have no statutory footing, employers are twenty years in the industry. Before the you, especially amongst freelancers. can they be trusted to report on matters account, this practice, should have treated as contractors, when they are not behaving illegally when they don’t economic downturn being freelance and Many good journalists left the field, that are in the public interest? Awkward come to light years ago. effectively employees. adhere to them. self-employed was either a lifestyle some went into public relations and questions are the most important ones The so-called ‘gig economy’ emerged Revenue is quite specific about the The upshot is where we previously had a choice or (more typically) a step toward political communications, and were for journalists to ask, starting with ‘when during the recession. Businesses difference between employees and black economy, we now have a grey one being made permanent. When the crash viewed in certain quarters as poachers are you going to pay me my due?’ n

36 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 37 Food It was recently revealed that a third of people in Britain who suffer from indigestion, or who The table will be occupied by every The scientists concluded that eating become drunk, are utterly ignorant of member of the kitchen and front-of- and talking together may prevent now regularly eat every meal on their own. Perhaps they’re the true principles of eating and house brigades, breaking bread overeating by making people feel better just trying to avoid arguing with each other about Brexit, drinking.” together on equal terms, and often about themselves. This approach might By today’s standards his declaration enjoying a meal cooked by the head chef well be a formula for better mental though there’s concern it’s also fuelling a loneliness may seem rather po-faced, but Brillat- or senior kitchen staff. health, as well as gastronomic. epidemic. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, which is why Savarin was by no means a killjoy. This moment of breaking bread, in the calm before the storm of evening DANIEL DEVERY reckons all the more reason to savour service, is one of the elements that The Dinner Party those moments when we can all dine together. makes for a successful restaurant. I was once invited to a friend’s house Daniel Devery. When you're hungry you can't (some time in the early noughties, during concentrate so a full-bellied brigade will the burping and belching of the always perform better. The practice is oversized Celtic feline) on the promise of by no means universal but it’s not by a “fine dining” experience. accident that it’s widely known as the A place for “family meal.” Eat simply, eat well Cookery writer Elizabeth David is famed for bringing Mediterannean food sensibilities to post-War Britain. Her influence extends beyond the peak of everyone at her career in the 1960s, when she intoxicated the imagination of her readers with exotic ingredients like olive Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. oil, aubergines, figs and lemons. The title of one of her most famous His rules for dining (and he had quite a books An Omelette and a Glass of Wine few) suggests his enjoyment of dinner reveals her declared formula for physical Elizabeth David. the table was as much about the food as it was and psychological well-being: eat simply about his dining companions: “Let the What followed was a dreary three course and eat together. Not a million miles meal proceed without undue haste, succession of tasteless food arranged Photo: dreamstime.com. from Brillat-Savarin. since dinner is the last business of the into vertiginous towers. Despite taking day; and let the guests consider “Barbecue: a meal place in January, I have a vaguely horrible themselves as travellers about to reach memory of chicken married with a a shared destination together.” that’s eaten standing strawberry… shudder. As dining rules go it’s not a bad one, and up, in shorts, with your It was one of many reminders that the calls to mind the principal of equality fuss and pretension of an elaborate that makes for a truly great dining table. hands, and with the dinner party has never really taken hold in constant threat of rain. Ireland. Consider this, what single word is more effective to persuade a bunch of Eating together But Irish people can’t friends or family to pop round to your house than “barbecue.” Alice Julier makes the case for this in get enough of it.” her book Eating Together, arguing that This is a meal that’s eaten standing up, in dining together can radically shift In 2013 Dr Brian Wansink of Cornell shorts, with your hands, and with the people’s perspectives, reducing University and D. Ellen van Kleef of constant threat of rain. But Irish people perceptions of inequality. The Wageningen University in the can’t get enough of it. Netherlands questioned 190 parents Pittsburgh academic says diners tend to Why? view those of different races, genders, and 148 children about how they eat and socioeconomic backgrounds as their meals, and measured their body Let’s return to Brillat-Savarin: “Let the more equal than they would in other mass index (BMI), the system used to guests be detained by the charms of social scenarios. measure obesity. society, and animated by the hope that the evening will yet develop.” If you’ve seen the latest advertisement They found that families who ate dinner from Coca-Cola, this philosophy is given in the kitchen or dining room tended to I think that goes a hell of a long way to expression (with a tangible anti-Trump have a lower BMI, while those with a explaining the allure of an Irish backyard defiance) in its depiction of multicultural higher BMI were more likely to eat with barbecue. inclusion, all centred around food and the television on. Brillat-Savarin’s book was published in eating together. Families where nobody left the table December 1825, two months before his To see this levelling effect at work, look until everyone had finished eating also death at the age of 71. It hasn’t been out IN HIS 1825 publication La Physiologie The lawyer and politician gained fame as His particular food philosophy was that no further than the restaurant trade. It emerged as generally slimmer and of print since. du goût (The Physiology of Taste: Or, an authority on all matters gastronomic the simplest meal would satisfy him, as is a world of work with a very particular, healthier and, while the results did not He’s buried at Père Lachaise cemetery in Meditations on Transcendental in the early part of the 19th century. sometimes even brutal, pecking order. necessarily mean that families' dinner long as it was executed with artistry. Paris, where you’ll also find Chopin, Oscar Gastronomy) Jean Anthelme Brillat- Being French, this is clearly a significant But have a look into the dining space of time habits are the cause of their BMI, Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf. Savarin declared "Tell me what you eat, accomplishment as they tend to take He was also quite up front on his views a good restaurant an hour or so before the study highlighted the importance of and I will tell you what you are." these things very seriously. about excess, declaring “Those persons evening service. sharing meals as a family. How’s that for a dinner party guest list? n

38 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 39 Music Times are hard in RAYMOND CONNOLLY’S corner of Dublin 11. With was a genius.” Matthew’s application to First. So a show of hands for Johnny Good The Bad and The Queen and all his Mensa got lost in the post. Marr finds unanimously in favour of his other irons in the fire. But he wore plus- Arsenal trailing just behind their London neighbours at the end of the undisputed genius. fours on Top Of The Pops when Blur In an attempt to assess artistic genius beat Oasis to the Number One slot and season, he is in the grip of a melancholy summer, where even the we need to avoid the age-old Irish trait But is it really fair to discard Stephen that was just naff. prospect of one-time legendary rock groups visiting Dublin on a legacy of begrudgery. When football genius Morrissey’s lyrical genius because he Liam Brady left The Arsenal and signed suddenly morphed into a moron? circuit tour isn’t enough to lift his spirits. Not even The Cure at Malahide for mighty Juventus in 1980, there was Heaven knows I’m miserable now. some bar-room begrudgery around Raymond Castle in June could provide a cure, but we agreed on the genius of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsay Dublin’s Whitehall claiming Liam’s Connolly. Buckingham is actually a genius… so Robert Smith. So I asked him, in any band we cared to list off, who was brothers were better players. A family they sacked him. What beautiful irony, friend enquired “Which one, the they had a genius in their ranks and it the real genius behind the music? Lo and behold, Raymond was off on postman?” was neither Fleetwood nor Mac. They one of his legendary pulpit ponderations. played Dublin recently with Neil Finn of Crowded House assuming guitar duties, which resulted in a contractually- obliged rendition of Don’t Dream It’s Over. File that one under “careful what you wish for.” The Lennon and McCartney debate – an A real genius anorak favourite – will rage for infinity. Some will claim that the real genius was actually George Harrison, but it’s a controversial minority view based entirely on While My Guitar Gently Weeps . Agnetha and Frida (ABBA). Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus played equal parts in crafting a string of huge hits for Abba. Who can separate their genius? Well, if it wasn’t for Agnetha and Frida we might never have known what the two boys looked like (great faces for radio in fairness) but if George Harrison (The Beatles). each of those girls was on 25% of the In the late 1980s, a close friend and I (a takings, that truly is genius. friendship that survived his use of a Filofax) were watching the Pet Shop “If it wasn’t for Boys appearing on Top of the Pops Agnetha and Frida we “Raymond we could be like them.” Of course he saw himself as the might never have immaculately spruced Neil Tennant, known what the two while I was togging out as monkey-hat- wearing Chris Lowe. ABBA boys looked like.”

I was ok with this because Lowe was – in We could look at bands like The Who, The my opinion – the real genius in the Pet Kinks and The Jam respectively and Shop Boys’ innovative orchestral pop. instinctively agree on the genius of Pete More importantly, he’s a passionate Townshend, Ray Davies and Paul Weller. Noddy Holder (Slade). Johnny Marr (The Smiths). supporter of The Arsenal. Enough said. Part of their respective genius was I’m not really a Beatles guy, but the more knowing exactly how to construct a “New Order: Bernard I listen, the more I begin to fall into the brilliant ensemble around them. In THE OXFORD Dictionary is a very “Who was the real ‘anoraksic’ (copyright Raymond Connolly McCartney camp. He was tuned in to Townshend’s case, he opted for a useful tool. Take the definition of 2019) obsessive outburst he raised the Sumner or Peter Hook? many wavelengths, including the drummer who had a basic problem ‘Anorak’: “A waterproof jacket typically genius in The Smiths? question as to who was the real genius legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s keeping time. But it worked. with a hood, of a kind used originally in in some of the musical acts we know Given the ten-year Answering that question ability to create layers of melody, and Polar regions.” It continues with a and love. Reader, I suspect he had just Over a Dublin 11 cocktail in my local (a feud between Hook and Pet Sounds provided an inspirational second definition: Origin (British) is easier now that “Singapore Sling”, two parts gin, one part had another Buckfast breakfast, but I template for the Fab Four as they informal/derogatory, meaning “a the rest of the band, the ice, three parts Tom Waits), my editor and Morrissey has reinvented humoured him. grappled with Sgt. Pepper. studious or obsessive person with real genius was the I whittled this conversation down to New unfashionable and largely solitary himself as a passive- The difference, of course, between The real genius in ‘90s Manchester City- Order. Bernard Sumner or Peter Hook? In interests.” aggressive spokesperson genius and stupidity is that genius has lawyer who wrote up supporting swagger merchants and the end we agreed. Given the ten-year its limits. Aristotle famously proclaimed sibling rivals Oasis was not a Gallagher feud between Hook and the rest of the It explains that the phrase refers to the the settlement.” for right-wing Brexiteer that there is no great genius without brother. My theory is that it was Noddy band, the real genius was the lawyer who anoraks worn by 1980s trainspotters. I some touch of madness. Holder and Jim Lea of Slade. Oasis wrote up the settlement. am proudly of their tribe, and I choose to loons .” Who was the real genius in The Smiths? Britain First pretty much borrowed everything from sport a Harrington jacket while reading Hollywood eccentric Matthew Answering that question is easier now On this one I am calling for the anoraks of them. the serial number on a southern to Take my editor. A classic anorak, he still McConnaughey went deeper: “The man that Morrissey has reinvented himself the world to chill out and recognise that, Brighton, but I refuse to accept that believes musical culture peaked in who invented the hamburger was smart. as a passive-aggressive spokesperson I’m tempted to tip the genius hat to in any great band, it’s the sum of the anoraks have solitary interests. Manchester around 1981. In his latest The guy who invented the cheeseburger for right-wing Brexiteer loons Britain Damon Albarn for Blur/Gorillaz/The component parts that really matters n

40 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 41 Travel Most of you will be packing your bags to head off clothes in your carry-on luggage if going on your holidays this season, so UNA-MINH further afield. KAVANAGH has got a range of practical tips for Consider packing cubes packing that bag like a well-seasoned and Packing cubs organise your items in Let’s eat! thoroughly prepared world traveller, along with compartments that you can easily whip some advice on enjoying your holiday food. in and out of your case. They’re handy if you’re looking for something specific Una-Minh Kavanagh. and you know for example, that it’s in Mindful street dining by hands that handled money. My policy the blue cube. is not to take drinks with ice in them. The Eating abroad is one of the most same goes for eating salads, the water exciting things to do while on holiday, used to wash the vegetables isn’t always but for those who are looking for an as clean as you’d hope. Glasses also can Don’t forget your adventurous dish, or the next best be dirty, so I carry a stainless-steel street bite, you need to be careful straw with me that I clean myself. before you settle to chow down. Everyone’s immune system is different, but you can certainly minimise your Bring your own cutlery chance of getting sick with some street- toothbrush smart tips. In Asian street stalls the cutlery that you see quite often has been touched by many hands before being chosen and Observe before you washed with water on the side of the street. I used to watch locals wipe down decide their chopsticks before they used them, Is the person handling food wearing gloves? While not all street vendors will have gloves, You can simply take out the cube and this is at least one unzip the full thing. Look for durable precaution that you can ones where the fabric is thin and take. Mostly importantly, lightweight. You can pick up packing is the person handling cubes quite cheaply from places like the food also handling Amazon or Eagle Creek. money? For me this is a big no-no. Money has touched so many hands Cut down on the extras and isn’t worth getting an upset stomach. Take practical items for less space. Instead of shampoo bottles bring Another thing to look at shampoo bars. You can pick ones up in is, how busy is the LUSH or places like Small Changes and place? If there’s a dead Noms in Dublin, or online at the atmosphere and no one is there, there’s which was something that I adopted, littlegreenshop.ie. If you have a contact a chance that the food isn’t popular. But though these days I now carry my own lens case they can become easy travel that being said, look at who’s in the line- bamboo chopsticks, I bought them in size portions for creams or foundation, up for food too. Seeing families in line Hanoi and they came in a lovely canvas HAVE YOU ever had that situation your skin and trap sweat, something you on what you need and on items that you and if you have an old sunglasses case can be a good sign. More variety in the pouch along with other utensils. where you’re sitting on your suitcase to don’t need! may forget. Realistically you don’t need they can be perfect to house wires and customer base usually means that the get it to close? Or wondered how the to bring that many clothes. charging cords. food has been vetted enough that it’s The fabrics should be breathable. For safe for everyone. Trust your gut hell you were able to pack on the way If you are carrying liquids, cut a small bit cooler countries Merino wool is a great Stuck on what looks to pack? You can out but not on the way back? If you plan of plastic wrap for each of your liquid Particularly in Asia, there’s a tendency When in doubt, if something is off, don’t shout. Though it’s a bit on the pricier always bet on black. From your tops to on travelling anywhere in the world, bottles. Unscrew the caps and place the to have the food displayed out in the risk it. On a recent trip to Vietnam we side, it can be used for hot and cold your shoes, to your socks to your you’ll need to bring a bag with you, but plastic wrap over the bottle opening and open for many hours at end. However, were served plenty of undercooked climates. Merino regulates your body swimming togs. It matches everything quite often inexperienced packers will pop the cap back on. This means that the food is often bought straight from chicken and duck. We sent it back to be temperature well, it’ll keep you haul a lot of unnecessary things with and can easily transition from day to even if it pops opens nothing will spill the market and incredibly fresh. Eat fully cooked and even when it returned, I them. reasonably insulated, but you’ll be cool, night. When it comes to lightweight and potentially ruin your clothes. when the locals are eating at their felt very wary but (foolishly) still ate it. dry, and ventilated once you start items like tops, dresses and skirts, fold regular mealtimes to ensure a steady That night I felt very ill and was confined working up a sweat and, if you’re on the them by rolling to minimise wrinkles. turnover of food. to my bed for the night. My stomach was First things first ski slopes, it provides a layer that’ll keep With heavier fabrics like jeans and Be clever in ribbons. you warm. denim, they're best folded. Before you put anything in your To make the best use of baggage Be wary of ice Remember that travelling is all about the suitcase, check the weather. I’ve seen Don’t forget that most of the time the allowance, wear your heaviest items for experiences we create but we must be people many a time bringing the wrong Make a list hotels and hostels (and even Airbnbs) boarding. When I was heading on the Ice is particularly refreshing in a hot mindful while doing so. It’s easy to get sort of clothes to the destinations that you’re staying in will have laundry Camino, I wore my walking shoes in the climate, but is risky to take with your lost in the moment and forget about our they’re visiting. For hot countries it’s Try to plan ahead and figure out what facilities. And don’t forget the outfit airport and was able to switch out on street food. We’ve seen ice being health, but with a few precautions you best to wear clothing made of linen or you’ll be wearing and how you can mix you’re wearing counts as one, and you the flight (remember those lightweight transported on motorbikes, chiselled can have both an amazing holiday and n Photos: dreamstime.com. cotton; heavy fabrics tend to cling to and match. The list will help you focus in can always pack spare lightweight clothes in your carry on) n using worn down utensils and touched an enriching experience

42 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 43 Personal health

KEVIN O’HAGAN, Cancer Prevention Manager with the Irish Cancer Society, offers some practical advice on how to reduce the risk of skin cancer, in partnership with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Kevin O’Hagan. Staying Sun Smart this summer

SKIN CANCER is the most common level high enough to do damage to the n You have a large number of moles cancer in Ireland. Almost 12,000 skin. (50 or more) people are diagnosed in this country every year. For anyone who works primarily n You burn easily, or if you or a family outdoors, it’s even more important to be member has a history of skin cancer. Most cases of skin cancer are directly aware of sun protection. To reduce your caused by UV rays from the sun. risk, simply follow our SunSmart code to If you are working outside, the best Outdoor workers (including construction stay safe in the sun. piece of advice to follow is to try and workers, tradesmen, agriculture organise your day around the sun’s 1 workers, fishermen etc), who spend Seek shade when UV rays are at strongest rays. So if you can, get a lot of most, or a lot of their time outdoors, are their strongest – generally between your work done before 11am or after at a higher risk of skin cancer. That’s 11am and 3pm. 3pm. If you take a break during the why we’re delighted to partner with the 2 Cover up by wearing a shirt with a midday sun, you should be able to avoid Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) collar and long shorts. Wear a hat the highest UV levels. this year to bring this message to that gives shade to your face, neck workers across the country. and ears. 3 Wear wraparound sunglasses. Make “Many people are “Always remember sure they give UV protection. great for taking care in to check your skin 4 Slap on the sunscreen. Use the sun when abroad, regularly. If you notice sunscreen with SPF minimum 30 UVA protection (higher for children), but less so when at any changes please twenty minutes before going home in Ireland, but talk to your doctor.” outside and re-apply every two hours – more often if swimming or it needs to be part of our perspiring. UV rays, which burn the skin, can be daily routine, especially harmful from April to September 5 Be aware of, and check the UV index if we work outside.” between 11am and 3pm. It’s important – if it’s higher than three then to remember that UV rays can be burning is likely. present on both sunny as well as cool 6 Keep babies under six months out of And always remember to check your skin and cloudy days. the sun. regularly. If you notice any changes at Many people are great for taking care in Anyone who’s working outdoors, or all, like a mole changing colour or shape, the sun when abroad, but less so when spending a lot of time outside, should or a new growth or sore that doesn’t heal at home in Ireland. But it’s just as take extra care if: in a few weeks, please talk to your important and it needs to be part of our doctor. daily routine, particularly if we work n You have pale or freckled skin that For any concerns or queries about outside. doesn’t tan, or that burns before it tans cancer, contact the Cancer Nurseline on Recent research by the Irish Cancer 1800 200 700 or visit one of our 13 Society found that 90% of the days n You have naturally red or fair hair, Daffodil Centres nationwide. For more between April and September had a UV blue, green or grey eyes information log on to cancer.ie n

44 Summer-Autumn 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 45 Win win win WIN PRIZE PRIZE €50 CROSSWORD QUIZ

Win €50 by completing the crossword and sending your entry, name and address to Hazel Gavigan, Fórsa crossword, Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin, D01 R2C5, by Friday 6th September 2019. We’ll send €50 to the first correct entry pulled from the hat. WIN €50 1 2 3 4 5 6 Just answer five 7 8 easy questions and you could 9 10 win €50.

YOU COULD have an extra €50 to spend by answering five easy questions 11 12 and sending your entry, name and address to Hazel Gavigan, Fórsa prize Crossword composed by Peter Connaughtan . 13 quiz. Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin, D01 R2C5. We’ll send €50 to the first 14 15 16 completed entry pulled from the hat.* All the answers can be found in the 17 pages of this magazine. 1. What is the name of the Irish 18 19 woman who won three medals at the 2018 Gay Games in Paris? a. Fatima Flyer b. Phoebe Driver

20 21 c. Philippa Ryder d. Philomena Scooter 2. Who founded the UK public ownership campaign We Own It? a. Boss Hogg ACROSS DOWN b. Cat Hobbs c. Joe Bloggs 7. A deep narrow valley, and Dublin 1. Hand Rob the instrument (7) d. Snoop Dogg hospital (6) 2. Arabian country found in doom and 8. Animal fat in Waterford (6) gloom (4) 3. Name the Fórsa official who warns that the gig economy 9. Imran, former cricketer and Prime 3. He uses a foil or a sabre (6) 4. You get this in side or in time (6) could become a ’high tech Minister of Pakistan (4) sweatshop’. 10. A burial place, usually associated 5. Semi-formal dress code for evening a. Andy Pike with the Roman Empire (8) events (5, 3) b. Derek Mullen 6. Liverpool legend, Smith, died in 11. His pseudonym was “Heisenberg” c. Ashley Connolly April 2019 (5) d. Geraldine O’Brien (6, 5) 12. Free from agitation of mind or spirit 14. Irish author of “The Break” and 4. Spot the TWO presenters of the (8) “Rachel’s Holiday” (6, 5) Sligo branch podcast, Stronger 13. Japanese dish of deep fried Together: 18. Sergio, Barcelona defensive seafood or vegetables (7) a. Niall Shanahan midfielder (8) 15. This cold chap is on his way, b. Richy Carrothers 19. François Duvalier was known as according to Eugene O’Neill (6) c. Rodrigo Frade …Doc (4) 16. The wise King of Pylos in Homer's d. Irene Tiernan 20. New York prison and Greek Odyssey. (6) 5. Name the photographer whose administrative region (6) 17. Capital of Ecuador (5) Palestine photos are now on 21. This Park is the home of Laois GAA 19. Number 8 or 10 in Rugby League display on Fórsa’s Limerick (6) (4) offices: a. Hugh Jackman ISSUE 6 (SPRING-SUMMER) WINNERS: b. Hugh Malala c. Hugh Laurie CROSSWORD: Richard Nash, Wexford. QUIZ: Noreen McCarthy, Cork. SURVEY: Anne Marie Gannon, Galway d. Hugh Grant The small print* ISSUE 6 (SPRING-SUMMER) CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS: You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. ACROSS: 7. Dearth 8. Orrery 9. Cats 10. Biathlon 11. Oliver Tambo 14. Crawley Town 18. Schooner Only one entry per person (multiple entries 19. Oche 20. Staten 21. Icicle DOWN 1. Renault 2. Eros 3. Khyber 4. Sonata 5. Prohibit 6. Argon will not be considered). Entries must reach 12. Vermouth 13. Swahili 15. Waning 16. Earwig 17. Scott 19. Odin us by Friday 6th September 2019. The editor’s decision is final. That’s it!

The magazine for Fórsa members 47 Survey YOUR How do you like Fórsa? VIEW WE HOPE you enjoyed this issue of Fórsa, the magazine for Fórsa members. We want to hear your views, and we’re offering a €100 prize to one lucky winner who completes this WIN €100 questionnaire.

Simply complete this short survey and send it to Hazel Gavigan, Fórsa survey, Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin, D01 R2C5. You can also send your views by email to [email protected]. We’ll send €100 to the first completed entry pulled from a hat.*

4. What were your least favourite articles? The survey 1 ______2 ______3 ______1. What did you think of the articles in the summer- autumn 2019 issue of Fórsa? 5. What subjects would you like to see in future issues of Excellent o Fórsa? Good o 1 ______Okay o 2 ______Bad o 3 ______Awful o 6. What did you think of the balance between union news Comments ______and other articles? ______The balance is about right o ______I want more union news o I want less union news o 2. What did you think of the layout, style and pictures in the summer-autumn 2019 issue of Fórsa? 7. Any other comments?______Excellent o ______Good o ______Okay o ______Bad o ______Awful o

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The small print* You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. Only one entry per person (multiple entries will not be considered). Entries must reach us by Friday 6th September 2019. The editor’s decision is final. That’s it!

48 Summer-Autumn 2019