The magazine for Issue No6 Fórsa members Spring-Summer 2019 In this issue

Public service pay Minding our mental health Limerick Soviet centenary Gambling addiction Support Our Secretaries Making government local Pay the artists, value the arts Brexit blues Automation and work Retired Members vocational group Coalition 2030

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

People get ready Standing up and speaking out

forsa.ie

President’s foreword Hope springs Spring-Summer 2019 People get ready eternal Standing up and speaking out

Fórsa is produced by Fórsa trade AS WE head into the brighter, warmer months of the year, it’s a good time to remind union's communications unit and is ourselves of those things that make us feel optimistic and hopeful about the future. edited by Niall Shanahan. Deputy editor Róisín McKane. I’ve spent the last number of months on the road meeting members attending their Front cover: Pictured left to right branch AGMs. It proved to be a lively and busy AGM season for the union, and I was from front row: School Secretaries inspired both by the level of participation of members, as well as the careful branch chair Maria Dunne, preparation and hard work of branch committees. This organisation would not be Assistant General Secretary Barry successful without the work lay representatives put in at branch level throughout Cunningham, President Ann McGee, Liz Phelan, Anita O'Reilly, the country and I thank these activists. Marion Jackson, Kathleen O'Doherty, Lead Organiser Joe All of that hard work and preparation provides a great foundation as we head into a O'Connor, Head of Division Andy series of divisional conferences, and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all the Pike and Senior General Secretary divisional executives well, and I’ll look forward to the debates and discussions that Designate Kevin Callinan at the launch of the Support Our emerge from the delegates in attendance. Secretaries campaign in January. Photo: Conor Healy It has been very encouraging to see the growing support for school secretaries since pictureitphotography.ie the launch of the Support Our Secretaries campaign in January. Not alone has it inspired a boost in membership for the School Secretaries branch, it has given a Contact Fórsa at: Nerney's Court, Dublin 01 R2C5. number of our individual school secretaries an opportunity to tell their story like Phone: 01-817-1500. never before, helping the wider public to better understand their cherished role in www.forsa.ie every community. Designed by: I joined CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at their rally outside the N. O'Brien Design & Print Management Ltd. Department of Finance offices in Dublin in February. The rally was one of several Phone: 01-864-1920 taking place around the country as CE members from Fórsa and SIPTU engaged in a Email: [email protected] one-day strike action. Printed by Boylan Print Group. It’s been almost 11 years since the Labour Court issued a recommendation to Advertising sales: Niki O’Brien. provide pensions for these workers. Their action is warranted and they have the Phone: 01-864-1920. solidarity of all our members as they fight for that recommendation to be implemented. Unless otherwise stated, the views contained in this magazine I’m also delighted to see Fórsa’s youth network up and running again with a busy do not necessarily reflect the policy of Fórsa trade union. agenda for the year ahead. I’ll be meeting with the network again in April as they prepare to build their visibility during our divisional conference season. This magazine is printed on environmentally friendly paper, Finally, it was a privilege to have taken part in Fórsa’s INSPIRE training event in certified by the European Eco Label. This magazine is 100% January, and to welcome so many great female activists into the room to talk about recyclable. encouraging more women to become activists within the union. This magazine is a For all of these reasons, the future remains bright. full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. In addition to defending the freedom of the press, this scheme offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear in our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to www.pressombudsman.ie or Ann McGee, Fórsa President www.presscouncil.ie April 2019

All suppliers to this magazine recognise ICTU-affiliated trade unions. The magazine for Fórsa members 1 In this issue Editorial Thank you PEOPLE GET READY: Standing Up and Speaking Out

Spring-Summer 2019 NEWS ...... 4 Public service pay deal must address spending power and grade claims Niall Shanahan. for the music

Public service pay MENTAL HEALTH ...... 10 Seeing off the stigma by RÓISÍN McKANE FIRST OF all our thanks once again to all As we emerge blinking from the long a million of them at that march… there’s of you who’ve taken the time to get in dark winter, it’s hard not to notice how hope yet. BOBBY BYRNE AND THE LIMERICK SOVIET ...... 12 touch and give your feedback about the much of a shadow is cast by Brexit over In a bid to retain our own good humour, MIKE McNAMARA explores the origins and events of the 1919 Soviet magazine. Our survey (page 48) has conversations inside and outside of been attracting lots of your comments union business. our music column in this edition focuses and ideas, which we’ve taken on board. on British music we love. We’ve compiled GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS ...... 14 Britain’s departure from the EU has Keep the ideas coming. a Brexit-themed Spotify playlist become the Schrödinger's cat of 4 DIARMAID MacABAHAIRD talks to CIARAN KELLY about addiction highlighting our favourites and why we In this edition we’ve looked ahead to international diplomacy, as the phrases conference season, and highlighted a “Brexit will never happen” and “Brexit chose them. OIREACHTAS SUBMISSION ON EDUCATION...... 16 couple of the campaigns launched by will never end” appear, most days, to be One of the tunes we picked is Too Nice Mental health Challenges for non-teaching staff examined Fórsa so far this year. simultaneously true. To Talk To by Birmingham legends The The union’s health and welfare division Our head of communications Bernard Beat. Raymond Connolly is still down at IN PICTURES: SUPPORT OUR SECRETARIES ...... 18 is focusing on mental health, while the Harbor joined his family in London to his local toasting the finest rudeboy of Photo story from the campaign’s January launch Civil Service has produced a people march for a People’s Vote on 23rd them all, Ranking Roger, who sadly manager’s guide to help with staff who March. His report is on page 22. You passed away as we were compiling this #MOREPOWERTOYOU...... 20 might be experiencing difficult times. have to hand it to remain campaigners, edition. The campaign to reclaim local democracy We also look at the hidden addiction of for all they’ve been put through, they gambling, and how one member reached maintain their sense of humour when Whatever happens next, we still have 10 out to start his recovery. they take to the streets. And there were the music n BREXIT: A PEOPLE’S VOTE ...... 22 Support Our Secretaries It’s personal but BERNARD HARBOR isn’t making predictions CIVIL SERVICE: PEOPLE MANAGER’S GUIDE ...... 26 DPER has produced a guide to help with personal workplace crises

RETIRED MEMBERS ONLINE...... 30 The Retired Members Group on forsa.ie and a radio documentary

18 IN PICTURES: POWERFUL WOMEN ...... 33 HAZEL GAVIGAN reports from the ICTU Women’s Seminar

Brexit People’s Vote COALITION 2030...... 34 NIALL McGUIRK on backing sustainable global development

LOVE OUR LIBRARIES ...... 36 It’s a love that can never die says AINGEALA FLANNERY

FIZZY FOOD...... 38 22 DANIEL DEVERY on why fermentation is having a moment

Love our libraries TRAVEL PLANS...... 40 Looking for somewhere closer to home? ÚNA-MINH KAVANAGH is on i

CULTURE VULTURE ...... 42 Valuing the artists means making sure they get paid… properly

BREXIT BLUES ...... 44 Brexit is ugly but we have the music 36 WIN WIN WIN ...... 43 Crossword, competitions and prize survey

2 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 3 Fórsa news Public service pay deal Unions call for enhanced Stobart Air cabin local authority powers crew ballot for must address spending industrial action Research shows Ireland ranks last CABIN CREW in European local democracy index directly power and grade claims employed by Stobart Air in the Republic of Ireland are THE UNDERLYING assumptions of the He told the IRN conference: “It’s time to balloting for Public Service Stability Agreement shift our focus from the past and focus industrial (PSSA) need to be reviewed to take on the challenge of delivering real action over the account of lost spending power, recent improvements in wages and purchasing airline’s refusal and projected growth rates, and pay power. By way of comparison, German to recognise movements in the wider economy, public service employers and unions Fórsa and according to the next Senior General have just agreed a three-year pay deal negotiate with Fórsa offical Secretary of Fórsa. that comfortably outstrips inflation. the union on Ashley Connolly. staff pay and Speaking at the annual Industrial “Furthermore, it is simply no longer working conditions. Relations News (IRN) conference in possible to refuse workers the periodic Dublin in March, Kevin Callinan said opportunity to make the case for their If passed, the ballot (due to be public service agreements should also own grade or profession; to robustly – completed on 10th April) would also allow for individual grade claims to and fairly – test the validity of their give the union a legal mandate for respond to enhanced responsibilities, arguments, be they based on increased industrial action if the company takes higher qualification requirements, productivity, changes in relativities, disciplinary action against any crew additional skills, and increased enhanced qualifications, additional member because they have joined the productivity. skills, or added responsibilities. It’s now The campaign, which launched in March is a collaboration between union, or because they participate in Kevin said: “The credibility of the current almost 20 years since public service Fórsa, SIPTU and Connect trade unions. an industrial dispute. Kevin Callinan, Fórsa Senior General workers had that opportunity – 20 years agreement [the PSSA] is being Secretary Designate. Fórsa says a recent pay proposal in that have seen enormous changes in TRADE UNIONS representing over declining local election voter turnout. stretched by two important factors, 30,000 local council workers have the non-union company fell short of Referencing CSO data, he said public roles, responsibilities and working The campaign is seeking commitments which have taken root over the past launched a campaign for substantially recent airline industry norms, and service incomes fell or remained static practices. from political parties, and candidates in decade and which now need to be increased revenue and funding powers was rejected by cabin crew by a between 2008 and 2018, a period the upcoming council elections, on a addressed. One is the spending power “This would go a long way in restoring for local authorities, and published margin of more than two-to-one of when cumulative inflation was just over range of local government reforms of incomes after living costs are confidence in the PSSA, whose research that shows Irish councils have those who voted. 6%. The result was a significant covering waste, water, housing, and factored in; the other is the scope for underlying assumptions also need to be less autonomy from central government reduction in the value of wages during a energy services. The union has since hosted a number the agreement to respond to profession- reviewed to take account of inflation, than their counterparts in 39 European decade in which public servants had of information meetings for Irish- specific and grade-specific issues and the exceptional growth of 2017 and countries. The ‘More Power To You’ Speaking at the launch, Dr Mary Murphy also experienced increased working based Stobart crew, and says there is ambitions.” 2018, and pay movements in the wider campaign also calls for legislative of Maynooth University said: “Local time and other negative changes. “It will overwhelming staff support for the economy. Such an approach could frame changes to facilitate directly-elected government can be an important source simply not be credible to seek to union to negotiate on their behalf. It the negotiations on a successor to the mayors and restore and expand town of economic development and local jobs, New entrants continue on the current course without a also referred the dispute to the current agreement, which will have to be councils, which were abolished in 2014. while local authorities across Europe correction to this,” he said. Workplace Relations Commission sufficiently flexible to pair general are playing a leading role in transitioning The research paper, ‘Democracy Works (WRC), which subsequently invited deal kicks in Kevin also noted that both the increases, designed to protect living to low-carbon renewable energy. We If You Let It’ by Dr Mary Murphy of the company to talks. The airline Government and the Labour Court had standards, with progress on specific need to rebuild Irish local democracy Maynooth University, finds that only 8% refused the offer. recently recognised, in the nurses’ case, grade or profession reviews. We want to and citizen participation to build strong THE UNION-negotiated ‘new of Irish public spending occurs at local that the PSSA is capable of dealing with restore and maintain full confidence in local economies based on good jobs and Fórsa official Ashley Connolly said entrants’ pay deal came into force government level, compared to an grade claims, a process that had been the PSSA, and our model of public decent incomes, and to address climate Stobart cabin crew had expressed last week, well ahead of the earliest EU23 average of over 23%, and that a absent from public service pay service pay determination.” change.” annoyance at company date envisaged in the current public quarter of the Irish spend is not fully determination for over a decade. The management’s refusal to engage with service pay agreement. The new Kevin said unions had been assured that under local authority control. And it says Fórsa National Secretary Peter Nolan Labour Court linked this to a wider the union. “They see their colleagues arrangement will see public servants the Department of Public Expenditure said: “Irish people take great pride in public service review previously that, with just one city or county council in other Irish-based airlines and they recruited since 2011 skip their and Reform (DPER) would continue to their counties and cities, yet this recommended by the Public Service Pay for every 148,507 people, Ireland has know it’s the industry norm for unions fourth and eighth increments. engage with them, including on the element of our democracy has been Commission. far fewer local municipalities than to negotiate on behalf of staff. I The change now kicks in on the date broader implications of the nurses’ similar-sized European countries. systematically eroded by centralisation, understand their frustration at a on which each individual affected hits “This could herald a positive change in Labour Court recommendation. “Fórsa privatisation and austerity. People in The study says Irish local authorities management team that continues to their fourth and eighth increment direction. Other grades and professions expects these engagements to continue Ireland deserve structures and systems perform fewer functions than deny its workers access to a service date. It will boost pay, and ensure who aspire to participate in such an to take place over the coming weeks that deliver quality local services that municipalities across Europe, with their that other airlines accept as normal that new entrants’ reach the top of exercise will expect similar treatment in with the objective of ensuring the match the best in Europe. We’re calling roles largely confined to physical practice and sound industrial their pay scales over the same time the same timeframe,” said Mr Callinan. continued effectiveness and stability of on political parties and local council infrastructure and environmental and relations. period as their more experienced the public service agreement, and to candidates to join us in a campaign to Kevin was appointed ‘Senior General recreational services. This impacts colleagues. ensure that it remains fit for purpose,” he achieve that.” “Management’s refusal to do business Secretary Designate’ of the 80,000- negatively on local employment, service said. in the usual way has left its staff For more information visit forsa.ie strong Fórsa earlier this year. He will quality, value-for-money, environmental For more about the campaign, see our feeling they have no choice but to (search term #NewEntrants) n succeed Shay Cody as Senior General Kevin’s full speech is available at forsa.ie protection, and local jobs and economic special feature on page 20, and visit consider industrial action,” she said. n Secretary in the summer. (search term #PSSA) n development. It has also contributed to forsa.ie/morepower n

4 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 5 Fórsa news Critical welcome for Sláintecare action plan

FÓRSA HAS welcomed aspects of the it aims to shift the majority of care from 2019 annual Sláintecare action plan, the acute to the community setting. while saying the health department is moving too slowly on important aspects “Fórsa has been leading the charge on of the initiative. Sláintecare is an this because we recognise and ambitious ten-year plan to achieve high- champion the principle of multi- quality healthcare, free at the point of disciplinary primary care delivered, as delivery. It won cross-party support in far as possible, in our communities 2017. rather than in hospitals. But there is a real concern among health professionals Speaking after the publication of the and staff that their experience and Sláintecare action plan 2019, Fórsa’s contribution will be sidelined, to the head of health Éamonn Donnelly backed detriment of patients and clients, in yet the objective of agreeing a new organisational structure this year for another structure that puts all its focus reconfigured health and social care on doctors – be they GPs or consultants services, which would clarify the roles – as the managers and epicentre of of the HSE, health department and service delivery,” said Éamonn. regional and community organisations. The 2017 Sláintecare report envisages Fórsa’s head of health Éamonn Donnelly. But he said limited plans to develop a substantial increase in the number of “policy proposals for how to provide Sláintecare requires a massive people working in, and supporting, the universal services at no or low cost” to development of community services as health and social care professions n patients and service-users lacked the necessary ambition. And he claimed plans to “review” existing recommendations for removing private Four-day week brings practice from public acute hospitals fell far short of what’s needed. 20% productivity gain “Fórsa totally supports the vision of a fair, high-quality health service free at the point of delivery, and we understand THE FOUNDER of one of the first large days. “Not only could they do their work that making this a reality will take time organisations to switch to a shorter in four days but they were better able to and effort. We are actively involved in working week has called on others to do the work in four days. That, for me, work on the reconfiguration of services, follow suit, following a successful eight- was the one result from the research particularly in the community and week trial. New Zealand finance primary care sector. which was extraordinarily surprising,” he company Perpetual Guardian switched said. “But I am disappointed that the its 240 staff to a four-day week, with no Government is not moving faster and pay reduction, last November. The result Fórsa added its voice to international with more ambition to get the has been higher productivity, increased trade union calls for a move to a four- foundations of a decent health service profits and significantly better staff day week at an international conference in place. ‘Reviews’ and ‘roadmaps’ are wellbeing. hosted at the union’s Dublin office last insufficient in fundamental areas like November. The trial was supervised by the funding services and getting private University of Auckland and Auckland The conference, born from a number of medicine out of public health service University of Technology, who surveyed motions brought to Fórsa’s national facilities,” he said. staff after the eight week experiment. conference last May, explored the future Fórsa has previously outlined a range of They reported a marked improvement of working time with a number of steps necessary to put Sláintecare in compared to a 2017 survey in the same experts in the field, who highlighted the place. The union says there needs to be workplace. evidence-based positive results of synergy between GP and state shorter working time. Results from the trial, which has been healthcare services, along with a shift closely watched by trade unions, The conference also heard from Fórsa away from the insurance-based funding employers and policy makers globally, Senior General Secretary Designate model and towards public funding. The indicated a 20% increase in Kevin Callinan, who said that reduced union also says there is an urgent need productivity, with staff stress down working time was again emerging as one for better alignment of hospital and 13% and work-life balance up 14%. of the central issues in international community-provided services, and that debates over the future of work. private practice in public hospitals The company’s chief executive Andrew should be phased out as quickly as Barnes said staff initially wondered how See also our feature on automation on possible. they could do five days’ work in four page 24 n The magazine for Fórsa members 7 Fórsa news Partnership workers push for restoration

FÓRSA members in Wicklow County frozen and were subject to changes in “The union told management we intend and South Dublin County partnerships their working hours.” The union to take industrial action if there is no have backed industrial action in a represents 24 workers across both progress on the issue. We are awaiting a dispute over income restoration. Like partnerships. workers in voluntary sector ‘section 39’ response,” he said. Brendan said staff in both partnerships organisations – which are publicly- had voted unanimously in favour of Brendan added that County Wicklow funded but not directly managed by the industrial action last month. “In the case Partnership had recently announced a State - they were subject to crisis of South Dublin County Partnership, the measures, which cut incomes during the 2% pay increase, backdated to January ballot result persuaded management to economic crisis. 2019. Brendan said the union has agree to engage with the union at the advised management that while the Union official Brendan O’Hanlon Workplace Relations Commission and explained: “Staff in both partnerships we're due to attend the WRC on 24th offer was welcome, it falls far short of had their incremental progression April. addressing the disputed matters n

'SNA contract issues for the news bulletin' in the subject heading. SNA contract The issues covered so far in the archive are: n Pilot Schools and Non-Cooperation issues archive n SNAs and assault leave n Advice on the '72 Hours' and does an SNA have a supervision function? n How is the pay for part time hours calculated? n Notice periods n Panel Appeals n Displacement: Are You Doing Someone Else’s Job? n Standard contract for 2018/2019 school year n SNA allocation FAQs n The NCSE's SNA review: main points and recommendations n Q&A: NCSE Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme Photo: dreamstime.com n Post fragmentation FORSA’S EDUCATION news bulletin is We've archived all of these items for host to a special segment focussing on ease of access, and we update the n I was a full-time SNA but have had contract issues facing SNAs. Devised archive in every fortnightly edition of the my hours cut. Am I entitled to any and written by Assistant General bulletin. redundancy payment? Secretary Seán Carabini, it has proved If you have SNA contract issues you'd You can access the news bulletins at to be one of the most popular items in like to see covered in the bulletin, please forsa.ie/news/newsroom/ and select the Education news bulletin. contact us at [email protected] and include ‘Education’ n

8 Spring-Summer 2019 Mental health at work and home This year’s Fórsa Health and Welfare divisional Stigma conference will highlight mental illness and the stigma So the decision by Fórsa’s Health and that clings to it. Fittingly, it’s being held in Sligo’s Clayton Welfare executive to highlight mental Hotel, which opened its doors in 1855 as Saint Columba's health at its 2019 event is timely. The union’s Head of Division Eamonn psychiatric institution. RÓISÍN McKANE reports. Donnelly says it’s less than 30 years since secure units set the standard of psychiatric services here. “The stigma of Roisin McKane. poor mental health is still alive and well, and we must do more to combat it. We need to make the provision of mental health services a mainstream Seeing off the stigma healthcare function,” he said. The Fórsa event, which takes place in May, will explore the need for enhanced mental health services in our healthcare system, as well as the requirement to address mental health issues caused by, or presenting at, work. Workplace pressures and long hours contribute to poor mental health according to Mental Heath Ireland.

“Labels don't change Michelle Spearman Geraghty, who’s on Change and Mental Health Ireland. A people, attitudes the Fórsa health executive and its number of lunchtime workshops will mental health sub-committee, explained explore issues like stigma and do. You're still the same the decision to focus on mental health. workplace wellness. “It’s extremely rare that we think of man, woman, partner, And mental health is on the business mental health in a positive way,” she agenda too, with a number of motions father, sister, cousin, says. covering public and union policy in the wife, or friend that “When we salute our friends, family or area up for discussion. Some call for you were before a colleagues and ask them how they are, better support mechanisms for staff we all expect to hear ‘grand’. We don't experiencing difficulties, while others diagnosis of a ever expect to hear ‘I am not in a good demand more investment in mental mental illness.” place at the moment,’ or ‘I feel really health services and the staff that deliver down.’ Very often it is the reaction by them. others to a person’s mental health issues that can compound the situation.” Jarlath O'Connor works in the mental “Let’s talk about it. health area and sits on the union’s Michelle said the conference would Health and Welfare executive. “Mental specifically focus on the stigma that still Let’s remove the stigma health has been the poor cousin in our clings to mental health issues. “Let’s talk and let it be known that health service delivery. For too long it’s about it. Let’s remove the stigma and let been associated with institutions, and it be known that it's okay for a person to it's okay for a person these institutions have left scars on feel down, it's okay to ask for help,” she to feel down, it's okay people who became victims of their told me. care,” he told me. to ask for help.” Reality Anxiety Jarlath says the decision to embrace the She thinks the lack of resources, challenge, and the stigma attached to it, The voluntary organisation Mental services and treatment is compounding is a statement that Fórsa wants to go Health Ireland says workplace Ireland’s mental health problems. “We beyond talk, to change attitudes and pressures, especially long hours, want to highlight the fact that mental help develop pathways for people contribute to poor mental health in health care would not function in this experiencing difficulties. Ireland and elsewhere. It quotes a MEANDERING THROUGH the Health and Welfare division will hold its illness or suicide and, worryingly, found country without voluntary groups, which “We need a model of care that includes recent survey by the UK Mental Health expansive grounds and manicured lawns conference. They were likely to live out that Ireland ranked joint third out of 36 provide vital support to state services,” clinical treatment, but also incorporates Foundation, which found that a third of of Sligo’s Clayton Hotel, I was struck by their days in the confines of the European countries in terms of mental she says. support services like education, diet and workers were unhappy or very unhappy the scale of this imposing grey building institution. illness rates. therapies. We need to empower people about the amount of time they spent at Corinne Phelan, who sits on committees and wondered what it must have meant to take a proactive view of mental health I was struck by how far our nation has According to its Health at a Glance work, while 40% said they neglected alongside Michelle, said coping with to so many who passed through its by discarding the stigma. come in terms of attitudes, but found report, over 18% – or nearly a fifth – of other aspects of their life because of mental health issues, at home or in the doors over the years. myself thinking of how much more we the Irish population was recorded as their job. workplace, was a daily reality for many “Labels don't change people, attitudes need to do. Fórsa members. “It could be the person do. You're still the same man, woman, I thought of Ireland’s history of dealing having a mental health disorder. These Long working hours caused depression beside you on the train, a family partner, father, sister, cousin, wife, or with mental health, and how poor it’s Last November, an OECD study called included anxiety, depression, bipolar for more than a quarter of respondents, member, a colleague or yourself. It's friend that you were before a diagnosis,” been even in fairly recent times. Just 30 for mental health to be given greater disorders, and problems with alcohol or and anxiety for more than a third. And it time to change,” she said. he said. years ago, people were forcibly dragged priority in health systems across drugs. It said mental health problems found we’re more likely to spend our to psychiatric hospitals like St Europe. It attributed more than 84,000 cost the Irish economy a massive €8.2 leisure time worrying about work if we The conference will feature speakers Roisin McKane works in Fórsa’s

Photos: dreamstime.com Columba’s – now the hotel where Fórsa’s deaths across the continent to mental billion each year. work excessive hours. from mental health groups like See Communications Unit n

10 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 11 Labour history Celebrations to mark the centenary of the Limerick Soviet, a self- and given little food or water. The prisoners went on hunger strike to Barricade on Thomand Bridge. declared Irish soviet that existed from 15th to 27th April 1919, secure their objectives. run throughout the month of April. The Soviet ran the city for the After three weeks, Bobby Byrne was period. The death of IRA volunteer Bobby Byrne, and the response transferred to the Limerick Workhouse hospital in a very weak state. The prison of British military authorities, triggered a general strike organised authorities placed a jail warden and by the Limerick Trades and Labour Council, and the creation of the several armed police on his ward. The local IRA units mounted a rescue on Mike McNamara. Limerick Soviet. Fórsa Official MIKE MCNAMARA, President of the Sunday 6th April. Two armed volunteers Limerick Council of Trade Unions, outlines the events of the time. went to the hospital, with twenty unarmed volunteers posing as visitors. A signal rallied the volunteers to Byrne’s bedside. Two constables drew their weapons, one fired at Byrne, wounding him badly. They managed to escape and Byrne was transported to Knockalisheen as his condition Limerick Soviet worsened. centenary

ROBERT JOSEPH (Bobby) Byrne was Labour Day had been celebrated in raiding party descended on the home of born on 28th November 1889 in Dublin. Limerick for the first time on 1st May Bobby’s mother, Annie. A gun and Checking the pass on Sarsfield Bridge. Following the death of his father, the 1918. Up to ten thousand workers ammunition were found. Byrne was family returned to their father’s home paraded through the city in a “striking arrested on 13th January 1919 and International journalists began to refer agreement was reached with a number city of Limerick in the Donovan’s Row display of the strength and solidarity of brought to Limerick Prison. to it as the “Limerick Soviet.” of trusted shop-keepers. This was seen area. organised labour in Limerick City.” as a great victory for the strike Food depots were established and committee. Not only did the workers of In May 1907, Bobby commenced work The workers passed a resolution prices were fixed. Shops opened on the Limerick challenge the might of the as a learner in the General Post Office in extending “fraternal greetings to approval of the strike committee, any British military, they had now also Limerick, later working as a telegraph workers of all countries, paying evidence of profiteering would result in challenged the Central Bank of England. operator. particular tribute to our Russian immediate closure. Comrades who have waged such a A citizen’s police force was established. On 24th April, after long and protracted magnificent struggle for their social and discussions, the strike leaders shifted political emancipation.” Leader of the Labour Party Tom Johnson. Gas, electricity and other essential services were allowed to operate with a their position. A compromise offer By now Bobby was chairman of his local He died in the presence of two doctors skeleton crew. The Workers Bulletin would end the Soviet and withdraw the union branch. In September 1918 he and a priest, his mother Annie, and kept the people of Limerick informed of military permit order. The final attended a meeting about the Lord other family members, all of whom were the progress of the strike proclamation of the Limerick Strike Lieutenant’s visit to Limerick. Despite arrested. Large numbers of people Committee was issued. On 17th April the TUC sent Labour his attempts to agitate the workers, he descended on the streets around the Party leader Tom Johnson to Limerick to The leader of the Soviet, John Cronin, didn’t receive much support. But the vicinity of the police barracks, as police announce that the full strength of the addressed the enormous crowd waiting effect was to expose local agitators. and armoured cars were drafted into the Labour movement in Ireland would be in Glentworth Street. He called on the city. He was brought before the management exerted on behalf of the men and workers who could resume work, at the Post Office where a number of On 9th April 1919 the British military women of Limerick. A fund was without the need for permits, to do so charges were levelled at him, most Leader of the Soviet, John Cronin. authorities declared Limerick a special established to supply the Soviet with immediately and that those who could notably his attendance at the funeral of military area. Barricades were erected money for purchases from outside the not “to continue in their refusal to the Fenian John Daly in 1916. He His subsequent trial, on Tuesday 21st with hundreds of military personnel, city. By now the Soviet was accept this sign of subjection and denied a range of spurious charges January, coincided with the first shots in tanks and armoured cars. Permits were experiencing problems with the supply slavery.” levelled against him but was the War of Independence at introduced to regulate the movement of of fuel. Coal merchants were hostile to Many of the workers were triumphant, subsequently sacked from his job. Soloheadbeg in County Tipperary, and people. the strike and refused to open their Robert Joseph (Bobby) Byrne. but were glad the strike was over. the first meeting of the new Dáil. yards. In November 1918 he was made Byrne’s funeral on 10th April drew an Others were furious and wondered if He became involved with the postal Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of the Drastic Sentence on Limerick Man was estimated crowd of 10,000 mourners. As the days pressed on, tension everything they had endured had been workers trade union. Many Limerick Limerick City Brigade of the IRA. The how his sentence to twelve months hard mounted and funds supplied by the in vain. The debate about the rights and workers had begun to have a new found The reaction of the workers to the December general election saw Sinn labour was reported on 3rd February. trade unions were fast disappearing. wrongs of the Limerick General Strike interest in political and nationalist permit system was overwhelming. On Féin attract huge support on the The Soviet issued its own currency, in continued for some time after. awareness, influenced by the writings of Byrne immediately set about the task of 13th April a meeting of the Limerick promise of “using all resources to render the guise of promissory notes to be James Connolly and by Limerick’s first organising the prisoners to campaign for Trades and Labour Council declared a This is an edited extract of a longer the power of England useless in Ireland.” issued to the workers. working class newspaper, The Bottom political status. The response of the general strike, upwards of 15,000 article written by Mike McNamara, Dog, published by the Limerick Council The police did not delay in rounding up authorities was swift and brutal, workers took part. The city was at a Tom Johnson assisted them in the President of the Limerick Council of

Photos: courtesy Mike McNamara. Mike Photos: courtesy of Trade Unions. activists. On Monday 31st December a prisoners were shackled to their beds standstill. design for the special bank notes, and Trade Unions n

12 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 13 Members' stories

physically there but my mind wasn’t. I an effort. My first meetings were a blur, Gambling addiction is a serious issue, but it’s seldom seen was always thinking of my next bet or listening to strangers telling their story. I in the same light as other addictions. DIARMAID MAC A how or where I would get the money for honestly thought ‘What am I doing here?’ Time to my next bet. I got myself into severe It took me many meetings to finally BHAIRD talks to Fórsa member Ciaran Kelly who says debt. admit that I had a problem.” there is a need for the issue to be highlighted more, and “I was still placing bets, Ciaran says he is in a much better place hopes that doing so can encourage those struggling to now, but to this day, his addiction leaves regulate but I noticed that the a legacy he continues to grapple with. Diarmaid Mac a seek help, rather than suffer in silence. bets were getting bigger, “I’m still trying to win back trust of those Bhaird. dear to me. I have to keep my guard up more frequent, and at all times. In the first eight years of my THE GOVERNMENT approved a plan recovery I relapsed twice. in March 2019 to establish a gam- beginning to spiral bling regulatory authority. The plan in- out of control.” “I had stopped attending meetings as I cludes a new social fund, supported thought I was cured. I wasn’t. Six years by levies on licensed operators, which A hidden addiction “I was in a relationship at the time and I ago, I went back to the meetings will be used to support research, in- have three lovely children, but I gambled because it was my last chance with so formation campaigns and the treat- away any future of stability we would many people, I took it very seriously. ment of those affected by gambling. have had. I begged, borrowed, gambled “I still go to meetings two to three times Online gambling technology is devel- away savings, and I lied to family and a week and listen to young, old, male oping quickly. So quickly, in fact, that friends. I was selfish, nasty and only and female speakers. Some are just legislation written in 2013 is obso- cared about myself and my next bet,” he hours off a bet and some years off a bet. lete now due to technological devel- says. The majority seem to be addicted to opments in the industry. The Acknowledging that he had lost control, online gambling now. I have met some Government has said it could take up Ciaran describes the erratic behaviour truly wonderful people and to be able to to 18 months for a gambling regula- caused by his addiction: “Gambling had tell your story and not be judged is tor to be established. taken over my life and brought me to empowering. We are all in the room to help one another,” he says. The Minister of State with special re- places I thought I would never go. I often sponsibility for gambling regulation, lost a week’s wages in 10 minutes – an David Stanton TD, said the decision alcoholic couldn’t drink their wages in an One day at a time to approve the establishment of a hour. You would find me on Saturday regulating authority is in response to mornings looking in the window of the Ciaran says he is looking forward to the a report from the Inter-Departmental local bookies waiting for it to open, and I future and is in his sixth year of recovery Working Group on the Future Licens- would leave last thing at night.” bet free. He’s enthusiastic about ing and Regulation of Gambling. continuing to share his story in the hope of helping others. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amend- Getting help ment) Bill 2019 will aim to modernise a range of issues pertaining to gam- Having hit a low ebb, Ciaran told his “I went to my first bling including standardising the mini- family and friends about his gambling mum gambling age at 18.

Photo: dreamstime.com addiction. It was an important first step, Gamblers Anonymous but only the beginning of a difficult meeting because I Since 2015, the HSE’s stats show journey. “It was a terrible time because I that over 800 people have been had destroyed so many people’s lives as needed help. I wanted treated for gambling addiction but well as my own. You never think about the national health body has said its the people you hurt, you only feel sorry people to see that I was own figures don’t paint an accurate for yourself because the game is up. I making an effort.” picture of the scale of gambling ad- love my kids dearly but I put gambling diction in Ireland. before their happiness,” he explains. Gam-Anon provides support for peo- “The recovery programme works, but it’s ple who've been affected by a loved BEFORE I spoke to Ciaran the little I authority and a new social fund, and put a bet on one that would one day at a time. I am in a much better “The recovery one's compulsive gambling. Find out knew about gambling addiction comes supported by levies on licensed probably fall at the first fence. I really place today, I have family and friends more at gamblersanonymous.ie/gam- from one well-known name in the world operators, will also be introduced to enjoyed those days, but looking back programme works, but and the most amazing kids ever. I live a anon n of Gaelic football, Oisín McConville. The support research, information now I think I was hooked from the very simple but very happy life, and I feel 2002 All Ireland winner with Armagh campaigns and the treatment of those first race. it’s one day at a time. lucky to be here today to tell my story. has been talking about his gambling affected by gambling. “Everything was fine up until about 20 I am in a much better “I wanted to highlight gambling addiction publicly for a number of years. years ago. I was still placing bets, but I addiction among Fórsa’s membership It’s an issue I hadn’t heard much about, place today. I For more noticed that the bets were getting because gambling is a hidden addiction, which I found surprising given how Early days information on bigger, more frequent, and beginning to feel lucky to be here it’s compulsive and secretive. I really serious it is. Gamblers Anonymous, “I’m telling my story in the hope that spiral out of control.” want to get the message out there that to tell my story.” please visit help is available for anyone who needs Since 2015, the HSE’s stats show that readers who have, or know someone gamblersanonymous.ie it, especially through Gamblers over 800 people have been treated for with a gambling addiction, might seek Fourteen years ago, Ciaran sought help or call Losing control Anonymous.” gambling addiction, but it admits its help after reading it,” he begins. “It by attending a Gamblers Anonymous 01-874-6143. own figures don’t paint an accurate started off quite innocently. Like any Ciaran started to reflect on how his meeting for the first time. “I went to my Ciaran also said he wanted to thank the picture of the scale of gambling child growing up in Ireland, Grand behaviour at the time affected the first Gamblers Anonymous meeting and An Post branch for their support in addiction in Ireland. The Government National day at Aintree was a fun day in people around him. “During those years I went because I needed help and I getting the issue highlighted, and has recently approved a plan to our house. We would all stick a pin in a of compulsive gambling I was never wanted to keep other people happy. I everyone involved in Gamblers Diarmaid Mac A Bhaird works in establish a gambling regulatory newspaper listing of the horses to run, there for my family and friends. I was wanted people to see that I was making Anonymous n Fórsa’s Communications Unit n

14 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 15 Education Unions representing non-teaching staff in the education sector were invited Most school secretaries and caretakers are paid from ancillary grants and are to make a submission in March about issues of concern for non-teaching staff not deemed to be public servants. This in schools to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills. The is currently the focus of Fórsa’s Support Our Secretaries campaign, which has Fórsa education division made a submission on behalf of a number of the seen membership of the union's School professions that we represent in the sector, including SNAs, school Secretaries branch increase by 15% since the campaign was launched in secretaries and caretakers. The Oireachtas education committee is January. scheduled to discuss the union’s submission on 9th April. Work undertaken by school secretaries Photos: Conor Healy. pictureitphotography.ie includes completing pay and pension returns for teachers, and undertaking many tasks necessary to ensure that Fórsa submission highlights teaching staff receive holiday pay, sick pay and other public service conditions of service. challenges for non-teaching “The majority of school secretaries work alongside colleagues staff in schools with full public service status, but are locked out Support Our Secretaries campaign, see page 18. of the system without Union seeks enhanced much of the work, school secretaries’ The remaining 10% of staff employed public service terms role goes well beyond what would be by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) school completion expected of a clerical officer, who would are paid according to public service pay status of employment.” be part of a team rather than working on their own as most school secretaries do. scales and have access to the standard Staff working in the school completion Fórsa commissioned research carried benefits of public service status such as The submission highlights the fact that programme (SCP) should be transferred out by independent employment expert, pensions and paid leave. the majority – around 90% – of school to education training boards (ETB) or Mr Seán McHugh, which demonstrates secretaries work alongside colleagues forsa.ie/support-our-secretaries- the child and family agency Tusla to that the school secretaries’ role across with full public service status, but are underpin governance and give national all schools is one that carries with it a campaign/ locked out of the system without holiday leadership to the service. wide range of duties and responsibilities pay, sick pay, pensions or access to Written, compiled and edited by including: In its submission to the Oireachtas public service salary scales. Bernard Harbor and Niall Shanahan n

committee Fórsa said SCP employees Photo: dreamstime.com n Reception and telephone duties should also be given the same n employment status as other public Secretarial services, much of which Fórsa demands consultation servants. is confidential and sensitive by nature The majority of SCP staff are employed on SNA service n by voluntary organisations with local Report preparation boards of management. Despite n Management of school finances FÓRSA HAS demanded immediate proposed national SNA training providing vital services to children and including cash collection, payments, consultation on Government plans to programme, which was included in the communities, they are not deemed to be Head of division Andy Pike (inset) said that plans to ‘frontload’ SNA allocations could pilot changes in the funding and other reduce the incidence of precarious employment experienced by many SNAs. wages, keeping accounts minister's proposals. He also said that public servants. arrangements for the delivery of the plans to ‘frontload’ SNA allocations n Administrative support for boards of special needs assistants (SNA) service, Fórsa has been seeking a firm statutory educational programmes to teachers, could reduce the incidence of precarious Education centre staff management which were announced by education basis for the programme with a national and are grant funded by the Department employment experienced by many minister Joe McHugh at the end of management structure and adequate conditions raised of Education and Skills. n Managing attendance records, SNAs. March. funding for services, pay and access to admissions and transfers Fórsa’s submission to the Oireachtas Staff employed by the centres Andy said: “We stand ready to work with a pension scheme. Fórsa says SNAs fear the committee repeated the union’s call for undertake a range of education n Assisting with pupil welfare the department, the NCSE and schools announcement gives the green light for The SCP’s 248 full-time staff and 627 a common set of pay and conditions for development, project management, and n Managing school data including the National Council for Special to improve the service that thousands of part-time staff give direct support to staff working in education centres. The clerical and administrative roles. GDPR and other regulatory Education (NCSE) and individual schools SNAs provide to children with special over 36,000 young people at risk of union said the workers were employed compliance. to impose new and untested needs each school day. But this needs to poor school attendance and on a range of salary scales and were not Range of school arrangements without consultation. be implemented following proper participation. Its annual budget was cut treated as public servants despite Fórsa’s submission to the committee consultation with SNAs and other from almost €33 million to less than states: “The routine work carried out by providing “key services to public secretary duties Fórsa says consultation on changes that stakeholders, who need to see more €25 million in 2010. school secretaries in many instances far impact on working conditions is servants.” detail before a properly informed view highlighted exceed the limits of responsibility as set obligatory under the Public Service The submission states: “This budget has can be established. The union had sought negotiations with out in the clerical officer job Stability Agreement (PSSA), and that not increased in any way and staff who Fórsa also highlighted the very wide the Department of Education and Skills descriptions used by the Public the service implications of any changes have experienced pay cuts due to range of duties carried out by school “Fórsa recently conducted an SNA to address the problem, and to ensure Appointments Service for the purposes should also be the subject of reduced funding have not benefited secretaries. The union said most school survey and consultation, which gathered that staff were granted public service of recruiting new clerical officers across consultation with SNAs and other from any pay restoration. Fórsa has secretaries are very poorly paid, with the views of over 4,000 SNAs. We are in status. the public service.” stakeholders prior to implementation. raised these issues with the uncertain short-term contracts, which a strong position to constructively Department of Children and Youth There are 30 education centres across force many of them to sign on during the Mr McHugh’s research found that, given Head of the education division Andy inform plans for genuine improvements Affairs and Tusla.” the country. They provide a range of summer holidays. the sensitive and responsible nature of Pike gave a cautious welcome for a in this valued service.” n 16 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 17 Campaigns In January Fórsa launched the campaign seeking fair treatment for school secretaries. Support Our Secretaries seeks respect and fair conditions for all. Currently, around 90 per cent of school secretaries are paid through their school’s ancillary grant – leaving some with salaries as low as €12,000 a year. Transition year student SADHBH COFFEY DUFF is one of our guest contributors for this edition, and Sadhbh Coffey Duff. compiled this selection of photos and captions from the launch.

“This fundamental lack of respect is Support Our unjust, impractical and unsustainable. The time has come to end this arbitrary and unfair system. The Department of Education must implement measures to treat all school secretaries fairly.” Kevin Callinan, Fórsa Senior General Secretary Designate. Secretaries Maria Dunne, Marion Jackon, Kathleen O’Doherty, Anita O’Reilly and Liz Phelan.

Support Ou forsa.ie/support-our-secretaries-campaign/ r Secretaries

“I do not believe I am indispensable but I do believe I am an important spoke in a very “Out of 681 secretaries surveyed, smooth running wheel. Therefore, I also 66% have no pension entitlements, 47% believe I am entitled to dignity and fairness Fórsa Official Barry Cunningham outlining don’t get paid during the summer months in my workplace.” Marion Jackson, Fórsa the current injustice with an example of and are forced to sign on and 27% have “In 2010 we were considered public school secretaries’ branch treasurer. one school secretary who has worked in no access to sick leave.” Fórsa Lead servants when we lost 5% of our pay in her current school for the last 30 years is Organiser Joe O’Connor delivering FEMPI cuts. So why can’t we be due to retire next year without a pension. some of the Fórsa survey results. considered public servants today in relation to our pay, terms and conditions?” Kathleen O’Doherty, Fórsa education Fórsa President Ann McGee (centre) with Maria Dunne, DEC representative. Marion Jackson and Kathleen O’Doherty.

“We’re very proud of the job we do and the role we play in our school communities. But it’s a different type of pride that President of Irish Congress and outgoing often stops us speaking out about our General Secretary of the INTO, Sheila Fórsa estimates that around 90% of all school secretaries are paid through an ancillary Fórsa organiser, Joan McCrohan, Deborah O'Connor, Munster SNA branch and poor pay and conditions.” Maria Dunne, Nunan addressing the room and lending grant, earning just over a quarter of the pay enjoyed by a department of education and

Photos: Conor Healy. pictureitphotography.ie Healy. Photos: Conor Marion Jackon, Fórsa school secretaries’ branch treasurer. Fórsa school secretaries’ branch chair. solidarity to Support our Secretaries. skills employed secretary at the top of their scale.

18 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 19 Campaigns

Fórsa and other unions have launched a new campaign, More Power to You to lobby for greater powers at local government level and better local services. DIARMAID MAC A BHAIRD talks to PETER NOLAN and JOE O’CONNOR about the campaign and the upcoming local government divisional conference. Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird.

More Power to You Photos: Conor Healy. pictureitphotography.ie forsa.ie/morepower

THIS NEW Fórsa campaign, launched in Peter refers to a section of the More March, is a collaboration between Power to You report, which compares Fórsa, SIPTU and Connect trade unions, the experience of Irish citizen (Nuala) to and aims to start a conversation on the the average day for Danish citizen future of local government in the run up (Dorit), in the context of their use of to May’s local elections. The launch services provided and overseen by local featured a number of guest speakers, authorities. including Public Service International Dorit sees her local authority repairing a (PSI) general secretary Rosa Pavanelli. pothole on her way to drop her daughter SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane, Fórsa President Ann McGee, National Secretary Peter Nolan and CONNECT National Official Derek Kelleher at the More Power To You launch. Joe says the campaign is a crucial effort to crèche, before going for a swim in her to address the consistent stripping local recreation centre and later Raise the Roof Fórsa, and other water unions have set away of local government functions in interacting with social services through out four strands on which progress must recent years, which he says has resulted work. For Dorit, all of these services are Representatives of both divisions also be made to facilitate moving forward in Ireland having the weakest local local authority run. Nuala’s day by took part in the latest Raise the Roof with the establishment of a single water democracy in Europe. comparison, involves far more rally in Cork. The most recent utility. These include sustainability and interaction with primarily private demonstration in the housing and revitalisation, structures and “We’re seeking companies. homelessness campaign follows similar governance, employment and industrial commitments from events in Dublin, and ahead of a rally in relations and, crucially, a referendum on Galway. The event heard calls for the public ownership of water services. parties and candidates in “The launch of a new initiative – backed by Funding deficit increased funding for public housing, an several trade unions – to campaign for end to evictions and a cap on rents. On environmental challenges, Peter said the May local elections increased powers at local government The funding deficit also highlights the the Irish Congress of Trade Unions level, is both a welcome and very necessary extent of the problem, while 65% of (ICTU) called for a ‘just transition forum’ on local government campaign,” lead organiser Joe O’Connor. public funding filters through to local late last year to explore ideas for authorities in Denmark, in Ireland only reform in areas such as of local government. Prepared by Dr. “The funding deficit creating alternative employment for 8% reaches local government level. waste, water, housing Mary Murphy of Maynooth University, also highlights the workers and communities likely to be the report addresses Ireland’s weak “There’s a sharp contrast between the affected by Ireland’s move towards a and energy, as part of our local government powers and the trend range of services in Ireland that aren’t extent of the problem, low carbon economy. “This would also ‘Local Power Pledge’.” of re-municipalisation in Europe. overseen by local authorities and those while 65% of public protect workers from any negative in the Netherlands. Rights to local impact of these important societal representation and services at that level funding filters through to adjustments. Among the issues the campaign Nuala and Dorit are enshrined in both the Irish highlights are greater powers at local constitution and within EU law. That is local authorities in “This is an issue which is particularly level to address the housing crisis, Head of the local government and why the More Power to You campaign is Denmark, in Ireland only relevant to local government, as To read the full report go to www.forsa.ie. reform of water services, re- municipal employees divisions Peter so timely and important heading into demonstrated by the recent municipalisation of waste services, and Nolan talked me through developments 8% reaches local local elections in May,” Peter explains. announcement of job losses in Bord Na Cibrario will address the conference on environmental issues, including just in these areas. government level.” Móna. It’s also an issue which requires re-municipalisation. Cibrario has been transition policies. These will also be On housing, Peter said the union “Re-municipalisation is the process of greater engagement from everyone. researching the growing trend toward high on the agenda at the upcoming recently welcomed the plans to create bringing services back into public While the interest and commitment re-municipalisation globally for a number local government divisional conference. 15 housing support officer posts in a control. In Ireland, it’s a subject which is young people have demonstrated on the of years, and Peter anticipates that new team within Dublin City Council While pressure on the Government to “We’re seeking commitments from looking increasingly significant with issue is encouraging, it’s necessary for she’ll provide one of the most interesting (DCC). address housing is increasing, reform of parties and candidates in the May local regard to waste management.” people of all ages to get behind reforms,” presentations at the conference. water services is also entering into a elections on local government reform in Meanwhile, the local government Peter said. The More Power to You report highlights key phase. Talks on the establishment of Peter added that “Fórsa wants the Irish areas such as waste, water, housing and division will be campaigning for greater the positive impact of waste services in a single water utility – and the public to have access to top class local energy, as part of our ‘Local Power powers at local government level to aid Oslo and water services in Montpellier Government’s rationale for doing so by services, in line with the rest of Europe. Pledge’,” he said. efforts to address the housing crisis, Trend being re-municipalised, with improved and that the More Power to You 2021 – are the next issue to be Local government functions and Another key part of the launch was the services and prices for customers and campaign would complement the addressed in the Workplace Relations Looking ahead to the local government services should play a central part in More Power to You report on the future better conditions for workers. division’s work on the issue. Commission (WRC) facilitated talks. conference, Peter says PSI’s Daria people’s lives,” he said n

20 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 21 Brexit fallout BERNARD HARBOR and family joined over a million anti-Brexit by outlining the bones of a reform agenda that could start to disarm the marchers in London last month. As uncertainty about Brexit intensifies, populists with a new people-friendly and as populists exploit dissatisfaction with the EU, can unions and vision of Europe. other progressives develop an attractive alternative to win over those It referenced the many protections for working people and others that are disillusioned by the European Union? rooted in EU treaties, legislation and case law. These cover workplace health Bernard Harbor. and safety, working time, equality and equal opportunities, maternity and paternal leave, employee consultation, and opportunities to work and study abroad. One in a million Along with citizens’ rights and consumer and environmental protections, the Charter Group says these measures are rooted in the idea of ‘social Europe,’ EARLIER IN the day it had been an which gives citizens’ rights, workers’ effort to get him out of bed which, at rights, decent public services and environmental protections the same 'A good natured crowd' - Bernard and family joined the million-strong that point in time, had seemed infinitely rally calling for a people's vote. preferable to a train journey to London status as economic and trade matters in and the first demonstration of his life. EU policy. and changing patterns of work – should working people, their families and their be put in place. communities,” he says. But now George was urging us forward “The fallout from through the impenetrable crowd in a The group also argues for investment to vain effort to get up to the stage. Half- Brexit could present tackle climate change, with protections Blame the Etonians way down Whitehall, my nephew gave opportunities to develop for working people in the transition, up the ghost. saying this would bring medium and The public school-educated engineers of and implement reforms long-term jobs and economic benefits. Brexit want an extreme version of a free- I’d found it hard to see any Brexit bright market based Europe with few rights for side over the last two-and-a-half years. that address the And it calls on progressives to develop proposals for EU laws to underpin rights workers, their families or their But for the moment, me and my sister communities. were enjoying the rare pleasure of problems working people to trade union membership and bringing daughters, nieces, nephews face today, and to collective bargaining, and to strengthen It’s ironic that, although their vision is far and their friends to the biggest UK protections against the privatisation of from the interests of the people that demonstration since the anti-Iraq war reconnect the EU to public services. unions represent and work to protect, protests sixteen years ago. working people.” they have successfully appealed to many of those angry at the EU’s failure The good-natured crowd – over a million to protect living standards and rights. strong – was still leaving Park Lane, But it says the EU’s recent focus on almost two miles from the blockage we Bernard Harbor (second from right) with his sister Jane and nephew economic liberalism has eclipsed ‘social were now encountering in Whitehall. George at the Put It To The People rally in London on 23rd March. Europe’ advances, with popular support “The public school- Alan Partridge spoke to us from the big massive Put It To The People event, and Austria and Poland, this May’s European for the EU ebbing away as progressive educated engineers of developments slowed almost to a halt. screen. still nobody knows how the Brexit drama Parliamentary elections will significantly Brexit want an extreme will play out. Since this article goes to change the Brussels scene, with (mostly On top of that, and as Ireland knows to print well before the next cliff-edge right-wing) populists tipped to make its €64 billion cost, the EU’s clumsy version of a free-market deadline, I’m going to follow Paul gains in virtually every member state bar response to the Eurozone crisis was based Europe with few Gascoigne’s famous maxim: “I don’t Ireland. excessively deflationary, claiming make predictions, and I never will.” millions of jobs and livelihoods and rights for workers, their There are various outcomes on offer stoking the dangerous fires of populism. families and their but, whatever the final cut, Brexit is going to end badly. That’s because communities.” there’s no ‘better deal’ on offer – for Globalisation Britain, Ireland or the rest of Europe – However, the Brexit saga concludes over The Charter Group says urgent steps than the arrangement that’s currently in Straining to make the point. the coming weeks, it’s up to trade unions are needed to rebalance the impact of place. and other progressives to make that globalisation and emerging The Charter Group is convened by Blair case and seize the potential opportunity Meanwhile, over four million people (5.5 Yet, serious as it is, many in Brussels are technologies. It says progressive and Horan, the former general secretary of to re-frame the European project, just as million as I write this) had signed an getting weary of this saga, and keen to democratic forces should unite around a the Civil, Public and Services Union we did in earlier decades. official parliamentary petition calling on move on to other pressing common agenda to build a strong and (CPSU), now part of Fórsa. He calls its the Government to exit Brexit. With environmental and economic threats sustainable Europe based on secure latest publication an outline agenda for This might seem a long way off in a pizza and beer to look forward to, we including the continent’s sluggish incomes, social protections, equality progressive change, which will require world populated by noisy Trumps, Rees- had good cause to feel optimistic. And economic performance, Trumpesque Even the dogs in the and fairness. time, effort and determination from Moggs, Orbáns and Le Pens. But as my yet, and yet… and other assaults on global trade, and trade unions and others. nephew George discovered last month, A comprehensive body of new EU social the accelerating challenge of street... you can achieve a lot once you’ve made rights in areas like precarious work, “Whatever its final form, the fallout from automation (see page 24). the effort to make a start. It’s time to get Enter a recent policy paper from the minimum incomes, childcare, and wage Brexit could present opportunities to Reality check up! And there are political threats too. With Charter Group – a civil society collection undercutting is needed. And it says develop and implement reforms that Back to reality with a bump, I’m writing the extreme right already in control (or in of pro-European trade unionists and investment in education and training – address the problems working people The Charter Group proposal is

Photos: Bernard Harbor and George Price. and George Harbor Photos: Bernard this in Dublin the Monday after the governing coalitions) in Italy, Hungary, others – which recently joined the dots and in regions hit by deindustrialisation face today, and to reconnect the EU to available on www.chartergroup.ie n

22 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 23 Analysis The impact of artificial intelligence and other new Photo: dreamstime.com technologies on jobs and the workplace is testing the best minds in industrial relations and beyond. BERNARD HARBOR reports on some recent developments.

Bernard Harbor. Why can’t we all benefit from workplace automation?

century Luddite escapade. We know Public services He pointed to the win-win experience of TWO IN five Irish jobs could disappear “We have conversations about trade, Kevin Callinan argued that most of the that technology has the potential to Revenue where the introduction of new as a result of automation in the coming and trade has had negative impacts on benefits of increased productivity, take a lot of the drudgery and danger Fórsa has also argued that public forms of work organisation, supported years, according to a new academic communities in the United States. But achieved through workplace out of current workplace tasks, while service management should work with by retraining, had increased the tax-take study. Its University College Cork (UCC) it’s not at the same scale, frankly, as technological change, had so far gone to increasing prosperity and creating many unions to ensure that the introduction of and improved audit and fraud control rather than cutting jobs. authors say clerical, administrative and these technological impacts are going a small global elite – not working people new jobs. But we are determined to new technologies does not lead to job losses or poorer services. other office work will be among the first to be,” he said. and their communities. secure a fairer share of the benefits of Derek said Fórsa would not give blanket to be swept aside in a tsunami of new economic growth and technological support to the replacement of people- technology. “We will support Radical “A former US national advances for all workers in all sectors of provided services with AI. “We will While we don’t know precisely how the the economy, including through reduced properly thought-out support properly thought-out security advisor ranks the automation, controlled by workers new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) Donilon outlined the huge political working time,” he said. future of work alongside automation, controlled by whose aim will be the continued and robotics will land, this is just the consequences of governments failing to More recently, a union-backed economic workers whose aim will be enhancement and delivery of public latest in a library of academic and other act. “Populism is not at its peak right the most terrifying think-tank has called for an expanded services. Citizens do not want to talk to studies that suggest automation could now. We have a much more fundamental geopolitical challenges the continued enhancement role for trade unions and collective machines,” he said. have as big an impact on jobs and the populist challenge in the western and delivery of public including nuclear bargaining to protect job quality in the organisation of work as the industrial democracies, and one of the essential services. Citizens do not And he echoed Kevin Callinan’s revolution. things in dealing with this is having a proliferation, cyber warfare face of workplace automation. The sentiments, saying that new really serious discussion about how and the re-emergence of Nevin Economic Research Institute’s want to talk to machines.” technologies would flourish best if staff Former US national security advisor we’re going to manage the future of (NERI) The future of work: The impact of had more autonomy over their working Tom Donilon recently identified the great power confrontation.” work in the face of technology,” he said. automation technologies for job quality In a paper presented to the Department time. issue as one of the top security in Northern Ireland also highlighted the of Public Expenditure and Reform in Like AI, the fledgling trade union debate challenges facing governments across Like other progressive thinkers, Donilon Adding Fórsa’s voice to international February, the union called for steps to need for improved social security about the impact of the next wave of the world. doesn’t call for a halt to technological trade union calls for a four-day week as ensure that new recruits are equipped supports and a broader focus on skills. workplace technologies on our jobs, progress. But he does want radical part of the response to automation, he to thrive in increasingly-automated work Speaking in February, the former livelihoods and workplaces looks set to government action to deal with its added that reduced working time was NERI says automation may do away environments, and said older workers advisor to Barack Obama – who also develop fast over the coming months consequences, and to ensure that emerging as one of the central issues in with jobs, but that it will probably create should get help to adapt. worked for presidents Clinton and and years. everyone in society benefits from the international debates about the future more employment than it destroys. It Carter – ranked the future of work Our head of Civil Service Derek Mullen, potentially liberating and wealth- of work. adds that assessing the impact for It’ll have to if we’re to keep abreast of alongside the most terrifying who penned the paper, said the union creating power of artificial intelligence. the technology – and ahead of those geopolitical challenges including nuclear workers demands an evaluation of both would not oppose the introduction of who want to keep all the benefits for proliferation, cyber warfare, and the re- This theme was echoed by Fórsa’s the jobs lost and those that might be new technologies like AI. “But Fair share themselves. emergence of great power Senior General Secretary Designate at created. But it concludes that job technological advancement should not confrontation (code for China and the the union’s recent seminar on working “Trade unions don’t want to impede quality is unlikely to improve without be at the cost of services or jobs,” he Bernard Harbor is Fórsa’s head of USA falling out.) time. economic progress in a twenty-first direct policy intervention. said. communications n 24 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 25 Civil Service The Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) engaging introduction. Patricia spoke of her experience in dealing with cases launched its People Managers’ guide to supporting staff in that have been referred to her at the February, designed to promote employee wellness and HSA, and stressed the importance of being proactive and forthcoming when organisational effectiveness in the Civil Service. RÓISÍN dealing with staff who are struggling MCKANE attended its launch and spoke to MARGARET with work or life challenges. FAGAN to find out more. Roisin McKane. Support So what is the guide all about? I spoke to Margaret Fagan, employee assistance officer with the CSEAS to find out more. “Our job here in the CSEAS is two-fold” explained Margaret. “We provide A guide to support to all staff in the Civil Service. The service is designed to assist employees manage or resolve both work CSEAS team Anne Duffy, Margaret Fagan and Deirdre Maye. related and personal issues. In addition to this, we also work with managers who The handbook will be a useful tool in the on behalf of a staff member for whom are looking for guidance on how best to workplace, and will undoubtedly support they have concerns. help and manage employees managers trying to navigate the “If a manager contacts us regarding a experiencing difficulty.” difficulties, or previously uncharted member of staff they will be afforded waters, of helping a staff member the opportunity to discuss these experiencing a work or personal wellbeing concerns in an anonymised and “Confidentiality is challenge. confidential environment. very important, and it’s Confidentiality is very important, and it’s vital that employees Self-care vital that employees know they can avail of the service in the knowledge that HOME AND life pressures can explode know they can The guide includes useful advice on how information will not be disclosed to a without warning, for anyone, at any avail of the service best to have difficult conversations, third party,” Margaret explains. time. Reflecting a growing awareness of which can be intimidating for some. potential difficulties, there’s a growing in the knowledge that Critically, the guide also provides advice trend of workplace investment into staff information will on self-care for managers who are “We provide support wellness and wellbeing. providing assistance, an important to all staff in the Not only is this the right thing to do, but not be disclosed to aspect which can sometimes be studies show that improving employee a third party.” forgotten. Civil Service. The wellbeing reduces staff sick leave, service is designed to boosts team morale and increases productivity. Margaret went on to explain how the assist employees to need for this guide came about. “The The Civil Service Employee Assistance manage or resolve both People Managers Guide was born from Service (CSEAS) is one such work related and mechanism that the Civil Service has both experience and necessity," said invested in to help and assist Margaret. “More and more, we found personal issues.” employees. It plays a key role in the managers looking for advice. We ethos of promoting employee wellness decided to put together a ‘how-to’ guide She says feedback so far has been very and organisational effectiveness. to assist management in helping staff. positive. “Managers have welcomed the The CSEAS provides a wide range of “We had an understanding of the types guide and see it as an easy and simple free and confidential supports to the of concerns we needed to address, and tool. It can sit on a manager’s desk and staff and management, and is designed we set up focus groups to establish a when they encounter a situation where a to assist employees to manage work comprehensive list of issues. All in all we staff member is in difficulty, they can and life difficulties which, if left have seventeen topics included in the easily flick to the relevant section in unattended, could potentially affect guide. This aims to give managers order to assist them as best they can.” guidance on dealing with a variety of their quality of life, work performance or Aidan O’Driscoll , Susan Clarke and Patricia Murray. The People Managers guide is available attendance. issues, ranging from bereavement to online to all managers across the Civil Department of Foreign Affairs Ballroom Service, and praised the careful and alcohol dependency to stress at home People Managers’ Guide. Service, and the distribution of hard in St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin. The extensive work that had gone into its or work,” she explains. Launch copies is underway. Employee event was well attended by managers, creation. Susan Clarke, CSEAS It’s clear from reading through the guide Margaret outlined the manner in which assistance officers are also providing advocacy groups and trade unions alike. manager closed the morning by thanking training in departments on the use of the In February the CSEAS launched its that time and work have been invested employees can avail of the programme all involved for their hard work. and explained that confidentiality is at guide. People Managers Guide, which aims to The morning kicked off with an address by the team. It’s comprehensive and its core. assist management across the Civil by Aidan O’Driscoll, secretary general of The floor was also addressed by Patricia extensive, plainly signposting the For more information, or to avail of the Service in supporting staff with work or the Department of Justice and Equality, Murray, Chief Occupational Psychologist resources available to management and “Staff members can reach out to us for Civil Service Employee Assistance life challenges. I attended the launch on who spoke at length of the importance at the Health and Safety Authority staff to best assist an employee in help directly. We do have cases however, Service email, [email protected] or call

Photos: CSEAS a crisp bright spring morning at the of this guide for all staff across the Civil (HSA), who gave the guide a colourfully difficulty. where a manager makes contact with us 076-1-000-030 n

26 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 27 Services and Enterprises As Forsa’s Services and Enterprises division Section 39 agencies. There’s still a lot Angela said the union is engaging in a the response of cabin crew since we of work to do,” she says (See Partnership campaign of political lobbying ahead of signed the recognition agreement with prepares for its divisional conference on 22nd workers push for restoration on page 8). the local elections on 24th May, in Ryanair and cabin crew agencies last addition to national protests. Increased year. May, NIALL SHANAHAN spoke to head of The division also represents workers in industrial action, with a view to closing a number of North/South bodies (for “There has been a surge of interest division ANGELA KIRK about the range of the schemes, remains a possibility. example, Waterways Ireland and while, more recently, cabin crew at issues the division will be discussing in Sligo. Safefood Ireland), some of which are Stobart, which provides the regional facing the massive uncertainties of Aviation service to Aer Lingus, have asserted Brexit, as well as challenges emerging their desire to be represented by Fórsa Niall Shanahan. due to the continuing absence of the Angela says aviation remains a hive of for collective bargaining purposes (see Legislative Assembly in Stormont. activity for union recruitment and Stobart Air cabin crew ballot for industrial action n “We anticipate that members of our organisation. “We’re very encouraged by on page 5) division will be the most affected by Brexit, and we’re keen to engage in talks Under Ben Bulben with the Irish Government to ensure both job security and the seamless An Post branch continuity of services,” Angela says. More immediately, the absence of the Assembly in Northern Ireland has Fórsa’s An Post branch represents over 250 caused problems. Angela explains: members across all areas of the service. “Foras na Gaeilge are a cross-border body responsible for the promotion of HAZEL GAVIGAN spoke to branch chair the Irish language, and work in RICHARD DEEGAN who works in Central conjunction with the Ulster-Scots agency. Operations in the GPO about the kind of work Fórsa members do at work and on the branch. Hazel Gavigan. “Brexit, whenever it happens – hard or soft – “We have a broad spread of explains: “We were so members with many people grateful for the union’s is likely to deepen the working on two of the backing on this issue as we existing problems of organisation’s biggest immediately stood up to contracts – the National management saying we delayed approval of posts Treasury Management weren’t going to surrender in North/South bodies.” Agency (NTMA) which looks our terms and conditions. after the likes of prize “Through positive bonds and savings certs, negotiations this proposal “They’re having trouble getting approval and Social Welfare which was taken off the table and to fill posts by the North-South holds responsibility for the we had our conditions ring- ministerial council, because posts need distribution of fenced and we secured to be approved both by DPER and the unemployment benefit, flexible working hours for equivalent body in Northern Ireland, but state pensions and Richard Deegan. all our members.” there’s nobody up there. Consequently, children’s allowance but to Photos: Conor Healy. pictureitphotography.ie Healy. Photos: Conor Angela Kirk (left) joined CE supervisors at the Department of Finance offices in posts are not being filled. The longer name a few.” 2018 WAS a critical year for the union’s Dublin on 18th February. The rally was one of a number of protests organised that continues, the greater a problem it Richard emphasizes the branches’ pride Services and Enterprises division. across the country, coinciding with a one day strike action by supervisors becomes. They’re simply not making any “Management tends in the union’s democratic decision- Aviation issues cast a long shadow over and assistant supervisors on the pension issue. decisions, so Brexit, whenever it making structures as they are unique to to prefer working with much of the division’s activities and happens – hard or soft – is likely to many other organisations. attracted a great deal of attention. Head of division Angela Kirk says the of dealing with grade claims, are of keen deepen the existing problems,” she says. groups who make fast division’s motions to conference reflect interest to many members working in “We take our lead from the bottom up choices without proper Aside from the pilot strike and cabin the wider concern among Fórsa state agencies,” she says. and prioritise the members’ needs. crew recognition agreements secured members about pay movement, CE Supervisors Others often allow important decisions consultation. We just with Ryanair, the division was also organisation and, because it’s likely to be made at a central level which then The union’s long-running effort to win hope that our integrity making sure its newly expanded affect more members of the Services Community sector get filtered down, but that’s not how we pension justice for community membership was settling in after the and Enterprises division, the looming operate. means more to amalgamation that created Fórsa. question of Brexit. restoration employment supervisors continues. They’ve been denied any occupational “This can sometimes be a struggle members and they can Angela says a continuing challenge is With around 7,000 in membership, the “One of the key items that we’ll be pension provision despite a 2008 however, as management tends to division is diverse, representing workers discussing is the current public service the restoration of pay and conditions in Labour Court ruling. prefer working with groups who make appreciate that our in commercial and non-commercial agreement (the PSSA). Like everyone the Community Pillar of the division. fast choices without proper The supervisors went on strike on 18th method is fair and just.” semi-state organisations, as well as else we are keen to ensure that any Many members in this sector remain consultation. We just hope that our February, and rallied at a number of private companies in aviation and variation or improvements secured by subject to pay cuts, reduced working integrity means more to members and locations across the country, including At conference Richard said the branch is communications and community and any group covered by the agreement time and similar measures imposed they can appreciate that our method is the Department of Finance offices in hoping to get support of delegates for a local enterprises must be extended to all public servants, during the economic crisis. fair and just,” he says. Dublin, to highlight the problem. The CE regardless of what sector they’re number of proposals put forward by the Among these are the An Post branches “Pay restoration for these members supervisors’ campaign is being run There was an incident recently whereby working in. branch. “But we’re mostly looking (see panel), and a number of remain high on the agenda, and we’re jointly with SIPTU, and a general the company were looking to make forward to some lively debate and North/South bodies created under the “Recent developments, including encouraged by progress made by our meeting in late March considered the savings and so, flexi-time was on the strengthening our relationships with the Good Friday Agreement. confirmation that the PSSA is capable colleagues in Health and Welfare with options for escalating their action. agenda to be scrapped. Richard other branches in the division,” he says n

28 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 29 Fórsa retired members Fórsa’s retired members’ vocational group continues to develop various have worked to encourage members to “We want members of divisional conferences, the group is maintain their union membership, or to keen to ensure members who are strands of work and activity. More recently they’ve established their re-join following retirement. to know who we are and planning to retire have a voice in the union beyond their retirement date. presence on the Fórsa website (forsa.ie/retired_members/), providing “As a group we’re continuing to pursue where we are, and that information on pay and pensions, the committee’s campaigning work this and seek to have membership we’re the voice for Brian adds: “We want members to know continue in retirement on what is called who we are and where we are, and that and the value of membership for retired members. NIALL SHANAHAN an ‘opt-out’ basis in future. This, we retired members within we’re the voice for retired members had a chat with them just after their March meeting. hope, will increase the membership the Fórsa family.” within the Fórsa family. That’s why we’ve density of retired members and our established the page on the Fórsa Niall Shanahan. bargaining position within the union.” website, to create a one-stop-shop for membership an attractive option,” Paddy retired and retiring members who want The maximum annual subscription for explains. to find out more.” retired members is €96, depending on pension value. “The potential financial With plans to boost the profile of the Check out the retired members’ group Retired vocational and discount benefits alone make vocational group at the upcoming round page at forsa.ie/retired_members/ n group go online Digging deep for forsa.ie/retired_members/ Castlecomer doc

SINCE HIS retirement from the HSE travel to the Deerpark Colliery mine and Martin Bridgeman has continued to the journey underground to the devote time and energy to his love of coalface. Mining started there in the local radio, as well as playing an active 1640s. part in Fórsa’s Retired Members’ “At its peak there were around two vocational group. thousand people involved with the As presenter of Ceol Anocht on mining industry in that part of north Tuesdays and Thursdays (10pm to Kilkenny,” he explains. midnight), on KCLRfm Martin curates an The Castlecomer mine closed in 1969, eclectic mix of quality music, providing a displaced mainly by the switch to diesel. platform for Irish musicians. Martin’s documentary series reaches Martin Bridgeman. “With local radio you’ve got to be able to back to pre-history and the formation of turn your hand to anything” Martin tells the coalfield, and brings the story up to Martin says the union was well me. That means anything from news to the present day, and the commercial organised and very active. “The story of long-form interviews and, more recently, revival of Castlecomer. their clash with the local clergy is the producing the station’s Glanbia- focus of the fourth episode. “There was a huge geological interest in sponsored Farm Show. the fossils that were found in “We also talk to the women of the Castlecomer as these provided a quality community, daughters and wives of the “Martin researched, comparison for subsequent discoveries, mine workers, who themselves seemed and were used by Charles Darwin’s team rarely to speak of the experience of the produced, edited and to help prove his theory of evolution,” he mines. presented the five-part explains. “THERE’S A lot to think about and a lot The elected council of the Retired Members' vocational group; Kevin Armstrong, Frank “We look at the struggle for do when you retire. This is a group Brannigan, Martin Bridgeman, John Cluskey, Pat Conneely, Michael Doyle, Mick Duffy, radio documentary, as Conditions in the coal mines were very compensation for silicosis or ‘miner’s whose primary focus is the pension rate Seamus Fitzgerald, Dick Fitzgerald, Pat Foley, Joe Gavin, Tony Gogarty, Siobhan Ní Gríofa, difficult. Low pay, poor housing and a lung’ which many of the miners fell and retired members’ conditions, and Micheál Greenan, Aubrey Halley, Joe Heffernan, Jack McCarthy, Pat McNulty, Jim Nealon, the story of Castecomer’s lack of washing facilities were key victim to also,” he says. Frances Quigley, Paddy Quinn, Michael Rice, Joe Sherlock, Gerry Walsh, Sean Whelan. concerns. In the 1920s, Nixie Boran and since the reduction in pay, seeking the unique mining history The documentary also looks at the some of the local miners formed a full restoration of the pension,” explains Brian explains that it’s been more than Among the group is retired Fórsa NEC effect locally of the mining industry’s intrigued him.” branch of the Revolutionary Workers’ Brian Burke, chair of Fórsa’s Retired eleven years since some retired member – and former IMPACT senior departure from the area in 1969. “In Group. Members’ vocational group. members have had an increase in their vice president – Paddy Quinn. A retired recent years Castlecomer has thrived as pension. “The Retired Members’ CE supervisor, Paddy is one of the many In April the first of a five-part Following a visit to the Soviet Union, the Discovery Park, a new hotel, and The mood among these veteran union vocational group, working with the retired members who supported the documentary about the coal mining Boran returned to Castlecomer to help Michelin star restaurant have all activists varies. As we take some Alliance of Public Servants, has made February strike and rally at the history of Castlecomer will be broadcast form Castlecomer Workers’ Union, later contributed to the revival of the town, photos during their monthly committee significant progress in restoring public Department of Finance (see page 29). on the station. Martin researched, renamed as The Irish Mine and Quarry which is great to witness fifty years meeting, the atmosphere in the room is servants pensions but more needs to be CE supervisors’ have no access to any produced, edited and presented the Workers’ Union. after the fact,” says Martin. one of focused seriousness, a collective done. occupational pension scheme, despite a five-part radio documentary, as the They sought to improve pay and working It’s hoped the documentary, which is desire to attend to the matters at hand. 2008 Labour Court recommendation. story of Castecomer’s unique mining “Around twenty per cent of pensioners conditions for the miners but faced supported by the Broadcasting The fight continues. history intrigued him. Later, when we go outside for a photo, are still awaiting full restoration with no opposition from the mine owners and Authority of Ireland, will broadcast in there is joking and slagging and an easy end date in sight. It is also a fact that Paddy explains that many Fórsa retired “It’s called Three Miles Over and Three local people, including the clergy, late April on KCLR and the series will camaraderie which reflects many years some pensioners haven’t received an members have not sought membership Miles Down, which references the because of its supposed communist appear as a podcast in due course on of shared activism. increase in over ten years,” he adds. as retired members. “Most branches distance some of the miners had to connections. kclr96fm.com n 30 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 31 International Women’s Day On the eve of International Women’s Day, 150 trade unionists gathered in Newcastle Co. Down for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ (ICTU) two-day women’s seminar. HAZEL GAVIGAN was there.

Hazel Gavigan. Women empowered

THE 2019 Congress Women’s Seminar was opened by ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King who reflected on the continuing battle for gender equality. She emphasised the struggle still faced by women demonstrated (not exclusively) by the gender pay gap (which is currently about 14% in Ireland.) Patricia explained that gender equality is not only ethical and just, but is an economic imperative – “the IMF (International Monetary Fund) claims that up to 10% of GDP is lost as a result of gender inequality in our labour market.” Patricia also took the opportunity to announce ICTU’s intention to launch a leadership and mentoring programme for the trade union movement. “Women’s empowerment happens on the ground in the workplace and Congress aims to facilitate that support by training people to assist each other via the programme,” she said. Leading Fórsa activist and Chair of the ICTU women's committee, Margaret Coughlan. endeavours to further their careers both Ann also emphasised the vital position in the workplace and in the trade union female engagement plays in our movement. We often aren’t naturally communities. "Women's full participation drawn to putting ourselves forward for is essential not only for their leadership positions and so this empowerment but also for the programme will offer encouragement advancement of society as a whole," she and support to those who need it most.” said. Fórsa President, Ann McGee spoke on a As well as workshops and panels across panel of female trade unionists from the two days, the delegation heard from two key note speakers. Director of Ireland and the UK on the challenges Equality at the International Trade Union and opportunities women in leadership Confederation, Chidi King gave an positions face. Describing her average update on the work at the International week, much of which is spent on the Labour Organisation towards a new road. "I feel the union world forgets you international convention on violence and Fórsa President Ann McGee speaking on have a life outside the movement – International Women's Day. harassment in the world of work. family, friends and a job," she said. Meanwhile, the Confederal Secretary of After much debate and contributions Ann said the challenge of union work the European Trade Union from many delegates, chair of the ICTU eating into personal or family time is Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch Women’s Committee and Fórsa Official, faced by many women. Fórsa would not spoke about their call for people, Margaret Coughlan proposed a motion exist without the lay representatives at especially women, to vote for female to make the programme available branch level where nearly 60% of our candidates in the May elections who exclusively to women. activists across the country are women support gender equality and trade union Margaret told delegates: “It’s important who give up their time on a voluntary demands for a fairer Europe for all that women are supported in their basis. workers n

The magazine for Fórsa members 33 Sustainable development goals In March, Fórsa’s national executive backed a proposal to become Environmental sustainability was change plans in national policies. It together to ensure Ireland keeps its included as awareness grew about the focuses on strengthening countries’ promise to achieve these Sustainable part of an alliance of over 60 civil society organisations working increasing dangers of climate change. capacity to react to natural disasters Development Goals (SDGs). These warning signs are increasing and caused by climate change. together to ensure Ireland keeps its promise to achieve the Now that Fórsa has aligned itself with formed part of the agenda at Fórsa’s the Coalition, we’ll advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both at home and abroad. "Green New Deal" event which took implementation of these goals. It's not place in early April. “The challenge now is NIALL McGUIRK is chair of Fórsa’s Civil Service division. Here he just about words, it's about actions too. The self-imposed deadline to achieve to incorporate these Niall McGuirk. outlines why he’s backing the Coalition 2030 campaign. Small actions from each and every one these MDGs for 191 UN member states goals into our work, as of us that will help. was 2015. And, not unlike well-known political party who campaigned under trade union members the slogan "A lot done - more to do", and activists.” those MDGs are now SDGs, or Working together, “Sustainable Development Goals.” The number of goals is now 17 and the The goal is to start the Green Climate commitment includes biannual reporting Fund to support developing countries to until 2030. counteract the occurrence of climate everything is possible change. Bottom of the class To do list Ireland's scorecard doesn't cover itself in glory as we’re near the bottom of the The challenge now is to incorporate class in Social Justice Ireland's Progress these goals into our work, as trade union Index 2019. We rank 11th out of the 15 members and activists. countries that made up the EU prior to Take, for example, the Just Transition its expansion in 2004. paper that ICTU is currently working on. So, yes. We have a lot more work to do. It’s linked into three of the goals; decent work (SDG 8); sustainable cities and But it’s definitely worth doing. communities (SDG 11); and climate Consider the type of world we can action (SDG 13). aspire to. A world free from poverty is Take the Fórsa School Secretaries SDG number one. Zero hunger is SDG campaign. That can be linked into SDG number two, while good health and 8. Or our recent Inspire training for wellbeing comes next. That's how to women: SDG 5, gender equality. view the Sustainable Development Goals and how to support them, each The list goes on, and the more we link Just like a postcard or a signature on its one as a step to a better world. our activities to goals the more we can own didn't free Rosalba, but the promote their benefits for everyone. sustained collective actions of many together. Coalition 2030 is an alliance of over 60 “Our movement is all civil society organisations working Let’s do this n about dignity and humanity, and Agenda 2030 – what Photo: courtesy Irish Congress of Trade Unions Trade of Irish Congress Photo: courtesy "Small actions work when we’re all doing them together" – Congress has been working to ensure that understanding that we trade unions here are aware of the Sustainable Development Goals and use them in their work. don’t have to feel helpless relevance for trade unions? IN A previous life I was a Global Small actions work when we’re all doing don’t have to feel helpless when others when others need our Solidarity Champion. In a way, it them together, and there were some need our solidarity and support. by David Joyce reminded me of my time as a kid minor victories along the way. Rosalba solidarity and support.” The recently launched Community watching Champion the Wonder Horse Gaviria Toro, a trade union and human AGENDA 2030 is the global development agenda for the entire world up to 2030. Sponsorship Programme attempts to on TV. I could race along on my horse rights activist, was detained and It contains a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The recent UN report on climate change imprisoned, without trial, by Colombian shine a light, giving communities the empowering people after delivering the gave us 12 years last October to halt authorities in March, 2009. Following opportunity to be part of the response Goal 8 covers decent work and economic growth and has a set of specific targets worst news imaginable. the speed of global warming. We all sustained international campaigning by to the ongoing humanitarian refugee under a range of headings including sustained per-capita economic growth, higher know there are no jobs on a dead planet. You want hunger and poverty? Western thousands of supporters worldwide – crisis in a real and life changing way. It’s levels of economic productivity and by 2030, “achieve full and productive Equally, we know the stakes are much Sahara. You want war and killing at an lots of people engaged in small actions - heartening to see people in employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people higher than that phrase suggests. unimaginable scale? Yemen. You want she was released without charge in June Dunshaughlin and Wicklow trying to and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.” denial of human rights? Bahrain. You 2011. make Ireland a land of 100,000 We know the dangers, we know Other goals include ending poverty, gender equality and climate action. want to be killed as a trade unionist? welcomes for families escaping war. something needs to be done. It’s OK to Colombia. You want religious Congress has been working to ensure that trade unions here are aware of the feel a bit overwhelmed, but let me goals and use them in their work. We are also part of Coalition 2030. persecution? Take your pick, too many Responding to crisis introduce you to SDG 13: “Take urgent to choose from. Green deal action to combat climate change and its We’re delighted to welcome Fórsa as a new member of Coalition 2030 and as part As trade union members many of us impacts.” of this global movement to ensure that Governments live up to their commitments. I tried to explain to people I knew that, would have been shocked at the scenes Twenty years ago the UN agreed to as we slipped from one humanitarian of people fleeing war in Syria and eight millennium development goals What does that mean? SDG 13 aims to More on trade unions and Agenda 2030 are available at crisis to another, there was something desperate for some ray of hope. Our (MDGs) with an aim to eradicate reach its goals in conjunction with the ictu.ie/globalsolidarity/agenda-2030/ we could actually do about it. Start with movement is all about dignity and extreme poverty and increase education United Nations Framework Convention David Joyce is Equality and International Development Officer with ICTU n a petition or a postcard. humanity, and understanding that we and healthcare for all by 2015. on Climate Change, by including climate

34 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 35 Opinion AINGEALA FLANNERY loves books and has a lifelong love for to housing estates across Dublin, from restock charge–and I fell out of love with local authorities and the Exchequer. It Bluebell to Donnycarney and beyond. I the library. always comes from people who’ve never the library service since the mobile library first rolled into the would feel ashamed of my ignorance if I set foot in a library, which is their We were estranged for years. And wasn’t so relieved to live in a country choice, but nor can they tell you how believe me, they were long, lean years, housing estate that was her childhood home. Despite a few that still attaches value to such things; much library services cost. For the the country was in recession and every to reading and to books–not only for record, between 1998 and 2012, a years of estrangement, the love affair continues. Aingeala cent of disposable income I had was those who can access and afford them– total of €131 million was invested by spent on pre-school picture books at hails the highly responsive and expanded services of the but for all. the Exchequer in library buildings; this Dubray. But these were just a gateway was co-funded by local authorities and library and the abolition of overdue fines. to the more addictive Diary of A Wimpy Aingeala Flannery. 95 new libraries were opened. “There wasn’t much Kid, not to mention the allure of blockbusters like Mr Stink and Gangsta “There are close to Granny to do in ‘The Estate’, so . I remember seeing David 800,000 registered when the mobile library Walliams on the telly, and thinking ‘I paid for that suit, but you’re wearing it, while members in Ireland, but rolled in every few I sit here eating frozen pizza, with two- and-half briquettes on the fire.’ The next only 16 per cent of the weeks, we bolted day I started afresh with the library, and population actively use we’ve been inseparable ever since. outside and lined up the library service”. along the roadside, the There are some spectacular libraries in Ireland, including Lexicon in Dun The money was spent on books, on way children in cities Laoghaire with its floor to ceiling glass developing online access and on do for ice-cream vans”. and uninterrupted sea views, and the digitising local history content. People very smart and modern Tullamore have responded by using libraries more, Central Library. But I have a soft spot particularly during the recession when There are, I’ve since discovered, thirty- for the original Carnegie Trust libraries, the number of books on shelves went up one mobile libraries in Ireland. And no among them the 1910 Clondalkin by 55 per cent and the number of library For the less than 330 library branches. I’ve Village library, and my rather grand local visits rose by 15 per cent. always had more of a head for stories branch in Rathmines. than for figures, but here’s a thought: Earlier this year there was much ado there are 12 million books in the online about the headline grabbing decision to library catalogue; you can reserve “This week a librarian in get rid of local authority library fines, whatever book you want and pick it up Fermoy dispatched a even for historic offenders. It followed love of at your local branch. on from a pilot scheme in Sydney, collection of Lucia Berlin Australia, where fines were abolished Irish libraries are the first in the world to and thousands of long-term overdue offer this service–essentially it’s like the stories to Rathmines items were returned, it became clear biggest bookshop on the planet, but library for me, I collected that people don’t bring back late returns everything in it is free. I feel rich when I because they ignore the reminders and books go to the library, and this is because it’s it along with a DVD then feel embarrassed that they’ve let it the only time I can have whatever I of , go on for so long. want. Greedily, I’ll grab a couple more The Sound of Music books that I probably won’t read, but I’ll which is not on Netflix. The decision by Libraries Ireland to take them anyway, because I can. follow the Australian’s lead was Photo: dreamstime.com Better still, I ask for things they don’t Thank you Cavan controversial. Truth be told, local have in the local bookshops. This week a Libraries, my son needs authority libraries have been phasing librarian in Fermoy dispatched a out fines for some time, including an collection of Lucia Berlin stories to it to rehearse for his amnesty in 2018 for a gentleman who Rathmines library for me, I collected it school play”. returned to Thurles library, 53 years along with a DVD of The Sound of overdue, a biography of the temperance Music, which is not on Netflix. Thank reformer Fr Theobald Mathew. In more you Cavan Libraries, my son needs it to In the winter months, people go there punitive times, he would have been hit rehearse for his school play. for warmth and for the newspapers, in with a bill of almost a thousand euro. I MET my first boyfriend at the public around, it was called simply ‘The Estate’. Smoke’, my agricultural bearing and July and August it’s filled with small Under this new, more merciful approach, library in Clondalkin. He wrote a note in There wasn’t much to do in The Estate, accent went unheeded. I had social children wrestling enormous books onto those who don’t return long overdue red Biro on a scrap of copybook, threw it so when the mobile library rolled in currency among my townie classmates; Cold War the loans desk, asking if they’ve enough library books will have their membership over the reference shelf, and I caught it. every few weeks, we bolted outside and I’d outgrown Enid Blyton, and was first stamps on their reading card yet for a suspended, but will not be fined. It’s Full disclosure: my dealings with We went out for about a fortnight. I was lined up along the roadside, the way to introduce them to the more risqué Summer Stars pencil and ruler. My hoped this will encourage people to use librarians have sometimes been less twelve; he was twelve and a half; nearly children in cities do for ice-cream vans. works of Judy Blume. branch, like many others, offers IT the library more often. There are close to than genial. There was the small matter thirteen. training, study spaces, public internet 800,000 registered members in Ireland, I gobbled up every Malory Towers and St of the novel I left behind on holidays, access, a film club, a reading group, but only 16 per cent of the population The previous year, we’d moved to Dublin Clare’s book I could get my hands on. If and the huge fine that resulted when I Books for all lectures, writing workshops, and most actively use the library service. The from a tiny village in south Kilkenny that the neighbours got there first, I’d have ignored the overdue notices, and put off importantly–evidence of taxpayers’ intention is to get that up to 30 per had two pubs, a national school, and a to settle for a dog-eared Nancy Drew For my entire life I assumed that mobile informing Dublin City Libraries that money well spent. cent. Take it as an invitation to return shop that sold everything and nothing Mystery Story; The Clue of the Velvet libraries, like tractors and toppers, exist Colum McCann was now being enjoyed that early edition McGahern, before it simultaneously–but it had no library. The Mask and The Ringmaster’s Secret only outside Dublin–until I spotted one by a different international reader every turns to dust. In the library at least, your estate we lived in seemed to have been among the most memorable of an parked outside Sundrive Park in week at a pensão on the Algarve. I Money well spent sins have been forgiven. dropped, by accident rather than by instantly forgettable lot. Dozens of Drimnagh. It’s either lost, or broken eventually confessed, and tried to cut a design, onto the rural landscape, and library loans later, when we upped sticks down, I thought. But no, Dublin City deal. No clemency was shown. I got I bristle when I hear begrudgery about Aingeala Flannery is a writer. You can because there were no other houses for what my parents called ‘The Big Libraries provide a mobile library service slapped with a hefty penalty, plus a the level of funding given to libraries by follow her on Twitter @missflannery n

36 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 37 Food nutrients of fresh vegetables while system, improve digestion and generally Beer, cheese, bread, chocolate, yoghurt, soy sauce, wine. A small healthy bacteria ‘cook’ the food in an keep us in better overall health and selection of delicious food and drink that all have one thing in anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment. mood. Alex ! Just a common. They are all products of the process of fermentation, and Take the Korean staple Kimchi, a There’s a growing body of research on traditional side dish usually made of the link between good gut health and its fermented foods are having a bit of a moment. DANIEL DEVERY napa cabbage, chilli powder, spring benefits for our mental health. While the French guy says the good news is there are fermented foods with amazing onions, garlic and ginger. In Korean modern dietary pattern has been linked households this is made in large to increased rates of obesity and health benefits. The better news is, they’re delicious. batches once or twice a year, and has related health problems, there appears cooking sustained the supply of vegetables to be evidence that it also contributes Daniel Devery. through the heat of summer and the to depression and other mental health deep cold of winter months for problems. Consequently, researchers INCREASINGLY I get my TV food fix thousands of years. are now looking at the links between on YouTube. Let’s face it, the tired old maintaining a healthy biome and good cookery-school format of the 1970s The probiotic aspect of mental health. has well and truly gone off. Similarly, the ridiculous food fetish TV of Ultimately, the secret ingredient of this fermented drinks and Nigella (and her legion of pale Fermento fizz and fermenting revolution is flavour. imitators) has been cast into the vegetables is an area of Fermented foods taste really good. The Marie Kondo pit of “What were we process heightens the natural flavour of thinking?” and has long since failed to growing interest, as the ingredients involved – think about spark joy in its audience. maintaining a healthy gut the difference in flavour between a fruit (or biome) turns out to be juice and a good glass of wine, or And while Netflix lavishes haute pickled pleasure between milk and a mature blue cheese. cuisine budgets upon the likes of David Chang, Phil Rosenthal and the a vital element in Fermentation introduces complexity, Michelin-stellar cast of Chef’s Table – acidity, sometimes even a bit of ‘stink’, maintaining our overall delivering very appetising TV in the all in the service of a more complex process – something more health, including our flavour. revolutionary is being prepped in a mental health. funky DIY studio kitchen somewhere Home made in Paris. Similarly, sourdough bread combines Alex flour, water and salt with a sourdough My own experiments with fermentation (French Guy starter bubbling with wild yeast. at home include sauerkraut (cabbage Cooking) is Sourdough bread has exploded in pickled with salt and spices), milk kefir a self- popularity in recent years. The current (milk fermented with a symbiotic culture taught wave of popularity can be traced back of bacteria and yeast or 'scoby') and home cook to the Tartine Bakery in San Francisco sourdough bread. (visit tartinebakery.com), the city in and which the bread was a vital staple for Of those three, the kefir is probably the filmmaker the gold prospectors in the mid-19th hardest sell to other members of the and hosts century. household, but it’s very satisfying. A his own drinkable version of natural yoghurt, it’s YouTube been a staple for centuries in Eastern channel. Probiotic Europe. Each week he delivers a new video about his latest attempts to perfect Sourdough and pickled vegetables have “Fermentation his favourite foods with obsessive taken up residence in a growing number introduces complexity, attention to detail. of restaurants and cafes across the His presentation style is heavily country. Some, such as the Fumbally acidity, sometimes even accented, eccentric and brimming Stables (adjacent to the Fumbally Café with joyful enthusiasm for all things in Dublin 8 – visit thefumballystables.ie) a bit of ‘stink’, all in the food related. I discovered him while are offering classes and workshops on service of a more looking up a long-term storage sourdough baking, pickling and creating solution for a sourdough starter (Alex your own fermented probiotic drinks. complex flavour”. gave me a 30 second tutorial on how The probiotic aspect of fermented My sourdough starter is almost three to dry it out into flakes on parchment drinks and vegetables is an area of years old and continues to improve with paper) and I’ve been hooked ever

Photo: dreamstime.com growing interest, as maintaining a age. I’ve a jar of roughly chopped since. healthy gut (or biome) turns out to be a carrots, pumpkin, onion, broccoli, There are currently eight videos FOOD TRENDS come and go, but the fashionable restaurant menus, a how to capture the nuances of bacterial vital element in maintaining our overall beetroot and spices that have been devoted to his attempts to perfect increasing popularity of fermented growing interest in food sustainability processed flavour. health, including our mental health. pickling for seven weeks. The result croissants. There are similar video foods is worth paying attention to. For and in the health benefits associated provides a flavour-packed The intestinal microbiota in our gut work series about ramen noodles, knife the most part, they’re produced using with different types of fermented food. accompaniment to some sourdough to digest and absorb our food, and it sharpening, lasagne, homemade ancient techniques of food preservation Cold cooking bread and cheese for a packed lunch. Chefs such as René Redzepi of Noma in mozzarella, the perfect omelette and and processing that are slow and turns out that feeding these guys with a Copenhagen argues that fermentation Preserving vegetables in the deep For more about cooking ‘in the cold fire lots more. require little in the way of technology or regular diet that includes healthy is the future of cooking, while David winter months is why pickled vegetables bacteria (such as lacto-bacillus, found of fermentation’, check out Michael energy. Sample some for yourself at Chang (perhaps best known here for the and fish have been a staple in on the surface of vegetables and an Pollen’s Cooked and for the obsessive FrenchGuyCooking on YouTube n The trend in fermented foods is driven Netflix series Ugly Delicious) has even Scandinavian countries for millenia. The active ingredient in the fermentation enthusiast check out Sandor Katz at by their increased presence on built a fermentation lab to understand fermentation process locks in the process), will help boost our immune wildfermentation.com n

38 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 39 Travel The world, in many ways, has never been smaller. Cheaper air The Fermanagh travel and the web has shrunk the distance between where Lakelands you are now and places you’d like to visit. This is a wonderful Mountain breezes, amazing walks and breath-taking scenery will have you thing, but let’s not lose sight of the great places to see right captivated in Fermanagh. If boating is on our doorstep. ÚNA-MINH KAVANAGH takes us on a your thing, try your hand at angling, canoeing, kayaking or simply cruise whistle-stop tour of some great Irish destinations. along the waterways. Want to go further in your adventure? Explore the Marble Una-Minh Kavanagh. Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark. The area also offers an abundance of accommodation ranging from your classic chalets to bubble domes in Lough Finn where the sky will be your ceiling. Closer to The Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary Considered to be one of the county’s most scenic locations, the Glen of Aherlow is a plush valley that connects Hook Lighthouse, Co. Wexford. the Galtee Mountains, the River Aherlow and the wooded ridge of Bennetsbridge, Bennetsbridge to heritage like the megalithic tombs of home Slievenamuck. Cycle, walk, golf or fish Thomastown and finally Thomastown to Harristown and Cill Aodha’s 12th- in the valley – no doubt you’ll be inspired. Inisitoge, overlooked by the beautiful century church. To see local talent head With brilliant opportunities to bask in grounds at Woodstock House. Nore to The Cliff Gallery where a special the open air, the land boasts the Glen of Valley Park includes crazy golf, go- experience awaits featuring local artists Aherlow Nature Park (adjacent to the karting, a maze, pet farm and tractor and creators of photography, textiles, famous Christ the King white statue) rides for the little ones. You can camp or woodwork, ceramics, jewellery and and a variety of prehistoric and early take a lodge on site too. For the foodies, fashion. Christian sites like St Pecaun’s Holy Kilkenny is well known for having an Well. A warm welcome awaits you with abundance of food trails with Taste of its people in the surrounding local Kilkenny highlighting the best food Gaoth Dobhair in restaurants, pubs and guesthouses. producers and brilliant places to eat out. Donegal An Irish speaking Gaeltacht, this should Corca Dhuibhne Strandhill in Sligo be on your must-visit spots in the Gaeltacht in Kerry A secret tucked into the west of Ireland, country. Right on the Atlantic coast up in Strandhill right by the sea is a slice of Donegal, Gaoth Dobhair sits near The Kerry Gaeltacht goes beyond heaven and perfect for those who love Donegal's highest peak, Mount Errigal. Dingle, and this quaint townland and water sports. Only 7km from Sligo, it’s Home to the Dunlewey theatre, Gaoth countryside of Irish speaking people are part of the surf coast on the Wild Dobhair has the Irish language in the not to be missed. The area is a natural Atlantic Way and for good reason too. heart of its people. Just 20km from playground for those who love walking, Large open bays, stunning cliff walks Gaoth Dobhair is Glenveagh National horse-riding, cycling and for those who and even luxurious seaweed baths. Play Park with a total area of over 40,000 adore walking on unspoiled long a round of golf, hop into a kayak or try acres. It's the largest National Park in the stretches of beach where you could be stand up paddleboarding (‘SUP’ to those country and home to a diverse and the only soul on it. Hike Mount Brandon, in the know). The famous people’s unspoiled landscape. head to the farmer’s market, indulge in market takes place every weekend in Dingle Gin or simply lay on the sand on Sligo airport’s hangar and it’s a foodies’ Surfer catching a wave Béal Ban with the Atlantic at your feet, delight with fantastic places like the Hook Peninsula in at sunset on the Wild with the stunning view of the Three Sweet Beat Café and Pudding Row. Atlantic Way on the west Sisters (An Triúr Deirfiúr) mountains as Wexford coast of Ireland. your backdrop. Seen as the pinnacle point in the east of Dunmore East in the country, this glorious landscape THE GLAMOUR of hopping into a road, jumping on the train or the bus and forms a section of the Wild Atlantic Way stretches out from the scenic southeast convertible and driving into a exploring the vast variety of landscape and it’s no wonder it made the cut. Waterford Nore Valley in Kilkenny corner of Ireland. Offering a myriad of Mediterranean sunset has never been that our home country has to offer. You Featuring a glorious varied landscape things to do for all the family. Visit more accessible, though not that may be pleasantly surprised. One of the Midlands' hidden gems. If Explore the many beaches and coves or with mountain passes, lush greens and Johnstown Castle, take a tour of the practical for everyone. Truth is, you don’t you’re feeling like getting those boots simply relive childhood memories coastline, it’s a feast for those who love building sandcastles and hunting crabs. haunted house at Loftus Hall, take need to look too far to have a on, why not try out the route on the the outdoors. Drive along the "Ring of The popular fishing village is serene and gardening or archery lessons or go diving memorable holiday right at home in Beara Peninsula in Cork Nore Valley walk from Kilkenny city to Beara" which follows the roads for about the picturesque town of Inistioge. This offers ample opportunities to sail. Take with the sub-aqua club. No visit is Ireland. Head down to the south west of Ireland 148 km and, if you dare, head on amazing walk is divided into three the spectacular scenic drive from complete without a visit to Hook Next time you dream of jetting off to far- to a part of incredible land that juts out Ireland’s only cable car across the water sections, each showcasing what the Dunmore East and on your way discover Lighthouse with over 800 years of light n Photos: dreamstime.com flung places, consider tearing down the into the Atlantic. The Beara Peninsula onto Dursey Island. county has to offer: Kilkenny to some of the delights of Ireland’s keeping. It’s still fully operational today

40 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 41 Culture vulture Everybody knows that theatre actors don’t do it for the money, but then The survey found that 75% of PAYE workload for the year for a working when demand declines. But when they workers in the arts don’t have a full time actor. begin to talk to each other, informally or what are they supposed to live on? With some justification Ireland job. Those working more of the time still through Theatre Forum, they discover TDs, senators and other political have an income significantly below the the experience is much more projects an image of itself as a land of artists and writers. For a small candidates were invited to the event. average industrial wage. widespread, and indicative of declining “Cavan TD Niamh Smyth then invited us country we punch above our weight in the world of theatre. But are we resources for the arts. “When you get to artists, the numbers to make a presentation in the AV room in nourishing the artists enough to sustain Ireland’s theatre industry? just go off a cliff, you’re talking about a Leinster House. “The actual spend is disputed, but we significant number who work below the fund the arts and culture here to about NIALL SHANAHAN spoke to PETER DALY, an actor, writer and minimum wage, partly because they “We gave the same presentation, this 0.1% of GDP, the European average is Niall Shanahan. accountant whose work with the Irish Theatre Forum has helped shine take on projects for a fixed fee. The time including Louise Lowe from Anú to 0.6%, so we’re around one sixth of the number of hours they’re working on come in and speak about housing, and European average. a light on the declining earnings of Ireland’s performing artists. those projects drags them down way to make a few suggestions as to how below the minimum wage level,” Peter some targeted initiatives could make a “While the industry explains. huge difference for at least some grows it should be artists.” possible for artists to Persuasive Abbey row live. Instead, the sector’s Theatre Forum’s event took place in at risk of being Valuing the artists At around the same time that Theatre Dublin’s Project Arts Centre in January. A number of artists, including Forum put the meagre incomes of de-professionalised.” choreographer and dancer Niamh performing artists in the media and political spotlight, the national theatre “This is for a country that lauds itself on O’Donoghue, writer Seán Dunne, and its artists and writers, that sends work found itself embroiled in a row – composer Peter Power, each gave a five abroad and that prides itself on its Vladimir: You should essentially a row about outsourcing – minute presentation on their experience artistic output on the international have been a poet. which saw up to 400 artists write a of trying to survive on exceptionally low stage. If you don’t fund culture and art ‘letter of concern’ to Minister for Culture incomes. adequately the whole thing breaks Estragon: I was Josepha Madigan and the Arts Council down. That’s what’s happening now after (Gesture towards his rags.) “We looked at the three-month period about the Abbey’s changing model of August to October as it offers freelance years of underfunding.” Isn't that obvious? employment. artists and creative practitioners more While the industry grows it should be The letter criticised the number of opportunities for work than other times possible for artists to live. Instead, the Samuel Beckett, international productions and co- of year. sector’s at risk of being de- Waiting for Godot (1952) productions put on in the theatre since professionalised. “Art enriches our lives in 2016, when the current management THERE ARE two mysteries about team took over. The letter focused in But Peter’s more optimistic now than working actors that tend to intrigue a lot of different ways all particular on how freelance theatre when he was involved with the national people if they meet one. The first is Photo: Fórsa Communications Unit of the time, and it doesn’t professionals have been affected. campaign for the arts a decade ago. “How do you remember all your lines?” Peter says the Abbey question would “The invitation to address Dáil members The second mystery – how much they come out of nowhere. A never have bubbled up in the way that it puts us in a whole different world. From get paid – is a question left largely certain level of funding did if people weren’t already feeling the that perspective I’m hopeful. I hope untouched. people have enough imagination to see has to happen, no matter effects of the limited amount of work on It’s not something they talk about too offer. that art is valuable, even when it’s not much, and while most of us are vaguely how neoliberal your necessarily measurable in purely “With the Abbey, it was easy to quantify economic terms. Art enriches our lives in aware of the realities of theatre life, the “We don’t dismiss people’s concerns, we need to that there used to be a certain number show the lasting value of investment in the arts” ideology might be.” a lot of different ways all of the time, subject of performer’s wages seldom of in-house productions and now there gets any kind of an airing. – Peter Daly, actor and chair of Theatre Forum. and it doesn’t come out of nowhere. A “In the unlikely situation that this level of aren’t. There were a certain number of certain level of funding has to happen, particular directors that would work on results were stark. One third of artists “But with funding levels slashed (during work was sustained throughout the no matter how neoliberal your ideology the main stage in a particular year, might be. Paying the bills and creative practitioners earn less than the economic crisis), and fewer year, on average they would have earned €22,752, just 64% of the giving us all more opportunities to do the national minimum wage, while the companies receiving funding, they no “Aside from the basic question of Peter Daly is an actor, writer (“Aspiring average annual earnings of €33,365 some work there, but now there aren’t. professions are characterised by low longer had the stability they’d had funding, it’s a question of whether you’re to be a better writer”) and accountant. across all sectors in 2017,” he says. pay, poor conditions and precarious previously. Then there were others “Also, the Abbey is a valid target prepared to fund the arts to a level that “The latter pays most of my bills” he tells work. within that group who had never had a Peter explains that on top of a decade because it gets about 50% of all the can make an impact, and at the moment me over coffee in a northside Dublin stable existence and now it’s got even of reduced funding, recent changes to available theatre funding for the in this country we’re not doing that. café as we chat about his work in the Theatre Forum’s membership includes worse. There’s less money around, costs Arts Council funding has pulled the rug country. So by that simple metric theatre and, more specifically, about his individual freelance artists such as “We don’t want to alienate anyone who are getting higher, and it’s just much from under a lot of companies. “There alone – there are other considerations of role as chair of Theatre Forum. actors, directors and writers. thinks funding should be going into would be a couple of companies on course – there’s a suggestion that half of harder than ever before to survive,” he public services, rather it’s a discussion The Forum (theatreforum.ie) is a whom you might be confident of getting all theatre jobs should come from the says. we want to have. We don’t dismiss representative body for the Irish arts one or two jobs a year, but that certainty Abbey. That’s one way to think about it, people’s concerns, we need to show the community, providing training and Precarious Theatre Forum decided to take a closer has been eroded now.” and if it’s not working out that way, you lasting value of investment in the arts. professional development opportunities look to better understand exactly what need to have a reason why,” he says. Peter tells me the common denominator The only kind of certainty any theatre for its members. Peter adds: “Separate was happening. “We know that if people exercise, they’ll for these practitioners is the professional can hope for is a block of to that we do lots of practical stuff like be healthier and less in need of health precariousness of their existence. “We gathered information by conducting work that covers, at most eight to 16 tax, VAT workshops and advocacy.” State funding services over their lifetime. Art has the “Within that group we have people who the pay survey. At around the same time weeks in a year because of their existing same effect, it’s money well spent.” Theatre Forum made headlines in previously would have been running we invited artists to speak about what relationship with a particular company. Peter says the net effect of this January this year when it published the companies that received (Arts Council) their existence is like, illustrating the Add in a few bits and pieces of TV or shrinking pool of work is that actors Follow Peter on Twitter at results of its pay scales survey. The funding. precarious nature of how they operate.” film and that’s considered a good assume they’ve ‘gone out of favour’ @peterdaly10 n

42 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 43 Music songstress. (I know that’s a bold claim Spice Girls enduring fan of this quietly influential Our UK neighbours may be losing their minds over Brexit, while some of what is but, hey, this is a Brexit-themed electro-R&B classic. It rightly reached generously described as 'debate' on the issue hasn't been healthy for Anglo-Irish feature). It’s a game Amy wished she’d Wannabe number one in the UK, but achieved a “Oh, what a mess we relations. Rather than despair, we compiled a list of tunes celebrating the best of never played. (1996) more lukewarm number ten spot here in made.” (BH) Ireland. Who’d have thought you’d be British music with a bit of a Brexit theme. RAYMOND CONNOLLY, BERNARD This reached number one in 37 discouraged to be in Number 10? (BH) HARBOR and NIALL SHANAHAN fashion a musical backstop with no legally binding countries back in the mid-90s. A truly guarantees. You can listen to our Spotify playlist at https://spoti.fi/2XPAf8F which The Who global power at one of those rare moments when it was hip to be a Brit. I The Jam Raymond I’m a Boy includes bonus tracks nominated by our editorial team. hear it’s soon to be covered by the EU’s Connolly. Down in a (1965) chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, with added emphasis on the lyric “tell tube “A couple have me what you want, what you really, station at three girls but the fourth is a boy. The really want.” (BH) mother isn’t happy so she brings him up midnight as a girl. He questions his gender identity. It was, like so much of Pete’s The Beat (1978) music, way ahead of its time,” says Probably the most evocative song Don’t leave Roger Daltrey. So when The Beatles Too nice to written about modern London. In the were ooh-ing to Baby you can drive my talk to days before the tragic 1987 Kings car, Townshend was dealing with Cross underground station fire, strewn transgender issues way before society (1981) newspapers and sweet papers at the was ready to comprehend them. Hats Deftly combining side of escalators were commonplace. A off to British tolerance of the day. I’m ska and new wave, sad tale of a young married man going not sure Ireland in 1965 would have this captures the home with a takeaway curry and being been able for this, in the days when even creativity and energy of Birmingham’s beaten to a pulp by right wing yobs in a me this way condoms were illegal. (RC) “They smelt of pubs/and finest. Frantic guitar lines, walking bass tube station. and nailed-on saxophone make this a Wormwood Scrubs/and too many right The compulsory repeat play record, before wing meetings”. A work of true genius. the lyric even kicks in. Tense boy spots I’m not sure it could be recreated today. Pretenders girl in club. Tense boy keeps drinking How would you fit Oyster card and tap The The Kinks hankering for that Brexiteers’ fantasy, a Brass In and is stuck to the ground while your Nat West card here into a lyric? sympathetic trade deal with the USA. developing conversational lockjaw. Girl (RC) Specials Days (1968) (BH) Pocket does a bunk. The story reminds me that The “Thank you for our next door neighbours are as equally (1979) possessed by self-doubt as ourselves. Elbow Grace Under the days/those Blur This Lunatics endless days They don’t come much better than this I’m not sure this story could be told in Pressure (2003) (2019) those sacred Is a Low from Chrissie Hynde, and I’ll never the same way in mainland Europe. (RC) days you gave forget seeing the band at a A reinvention of Fun Boy Three’s 1982 me.” The sweetest pop song of them all. (1994) dangerously-packed Brighton Top Rank showstopper The Lunatics have taken Even in the dying embers of the the week it topped the charts. A Massive over the asylum. Originally written at “Hit traffic on telephone landline in the ‘90s, the great declaration of sassy, soon-to-be- the height of nuclear war tension, the the Dogger Attack institution that was the Yellow Pages squandered, solvency? Her UK song is possessed by the spectre of Bank/Up the Thames to find a taxi chose Days as its signature tune. It audience will certainly have to dig deep Angel institutionalised power-mongers ready rank/Sail on by with the tide/And go to could be about a loved one, a lost one, a into that pouch post-Brexit. (BH) (1998) to hit the dreaded nuclear switch. “I see sleep” – The lyrics come from a hero, The Arsenal! Covered by Kirsty “We still believe in love so fu*k you” – A a clinic full of cynics/who want to twist handkerchief emblazoned with names “Her eyes, she's on the dark side” –A McColl is a compliment. Covered again defiant and hopeful note. The refrain of the people’s wrist“ to a bossa nova much abused track by TV current affairs by Elvis Costello classifies it as from the shipping forecast. There’s a Joy Division New this secular hymn was recorded live at shuffle is a sensational mix. It’s from legendary. So as Britain prepares to theory that Britpop is partially editors as they insist upon using it every the Glastonbury Festival in 2002, as The Specials new album Encore. A (1979) walk alone, in musical terms, thank you responsible for Brexit, but I’m not buying Dawn Fades time they run a story about crack sung by the audience during the band's fantastic take on modern day Britain, a for the days. (RC) it. This is a sweeping paean to England, addiction or serial killers. Nevertheless, set. I like to imagine a more enlightened must-have record. The perfect going Mezzanine but it’s looking outward, pining for as an opener to the seminal generation gathering at some point in away gift. (RC) friendship. (NS) by this soon-to-split-acrimoniously the future to sing this defiant refrain Dusty Bristol trio (though now partially while demanding a people’s vote. (NS) n reformed), its brooding bass-heavy UNKLE Springfield I Amy menace draws you into the dark featuring Thom Don’t Want To underbelly of the album’s ethereal world. Winehouse (NS) Yorke Rabbit In Hear It Love Is A “Directionless so plain to see” – Quite Listen to our Your Headlights Anymore (1969) possibly the most Brexit song of the All Saints Losing Game Brexit playlist on (1998) bunch. From my all-time favourite album Dusty anticipated “project fear” by (2006) Black Spotify - “Washed down the toilet/Money to almost 50 years with this genuinely Unknown Pleasures, it draws on the burn/Fat bloody fingers are sucking your tear-jerking plea from a young woman You know you’re doing something right science fiction of JG Ballard and the Coffee https://spoti.fi/ soul away” – There is a beautiful ground down by the neighbours’ tittle- when Prince covers your song and crumbling architecture of post- (2000) 2XPAf8F fatalism at work here, as Radiohead’s tattle about her philandering man. (“He George Michael takes to Desert Island industrial Manchester and channels that Thom Yorke emits an existential howl sure wasn’t thinking about her today”). Discs to declare it his top track of all mood into a crop of timeless songs. The I watched them perform a wonderful a into the void as the music builds. That’s Taken from the magnificent Dusty in time. This is one of Britain’s greatest title captures the ironies of Brexit’s cappella version on the Jools Holland the sound of a no-deal Brexit. (NS) Memphis, an album title that hints at a songs from perhaps its best-ever hollow promise. (NS) show and immediately became an

44 Spring-Summer 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 45 Win win win Call 01 662 2177 or email: [email protected] WIN PRIZE PRIZE Visit: PSCU Offices, St. Stephen's Green House, €50 CROSSWORD QUIZ Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 PH42. Fax: 01 6622 861 • www.pscu.ie 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 7th June 2019. We’ll send €50 to the first correct entry pulled from the hat. WIN €50 1 2 3 4 5 6

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18 19 1. Donal Casey’s cartoon in this edition pays tribute to which iconic Stanley Kubrick film? SERVICE a. The Shining b. Barry Lyndon 20 21 c. Dr Strangelove d. Eyes Wide Shut 2. Whose death precipitated the events leading up to the creation of the 1919 Limerick Soviet? ACROSS DOWN a. Padraic Pearse CREDIT b. Wolfe Tone 7. Get a shortage from a bad 1. Turn ale and drive it (7) c. Leon Trotsky thread (6) 2. Greek god of love (4) d. Robert ‘Bobby’ Byrne 8. Clockwork model of the solar 3. Mountain pass between system (6) Pakistan and Afghanistan (6) 3. Fórsa’s campaign to boost local government services is called Over 9. Long running musical based 4. Sat on a composition for an what? 18,000 on poems of T.S. Eliot (4) instrumental soloist (6) a. More Power to Your Elbow members 10. Olympic sport combining 5. Forbid or proscribe (8) b. The Power of Love UNION Monthly skiing and rifle shooting (8) 6. Noble gas (5) c. More Power to You Car 11. President of the ANC from 12. An ingredient in a Martini (8) d. Local Services for Local People Draw 1967 to 1991 (6,5 ) 13. Official language of Kenya 4. Who wrote the poem ‘Under Ben 14. The Red Devils of West and Tanzania (7) Bulben’ (page 28) Sussex (7,4 ) 15. Of the moon, the opposite a. Seamus Heaney 18. Sailing vessel and beer of waxing (6) b. William Butler Yeats Family glass (8) 16. Eavesdropping insect (6) c. Shaun Ryder members d. John Cooper Clarke 95% loans 19. Throw line in darts (4) 17. Rapper Travis and singer welcome Deductionat 20. Island borough of New Calum (5) 5. Which of these is the correct title York City (6) 19. Supreme Norse god of Art, for Martin Bridgeman’s five part radio documentary about mining are 21. I see double before the Culture and wisdom (4) approved* Source Education in Castlecomer? Bursary frozen French (6) a. Mile High Club €36k in b. Three Miles Over and Three Miles Down prizes ISSUE 5 (WINTER-SPRING) WINNERS: c. River Deep Mountain High CROSSWORD: Damian Doyle, Tullamore. QUIZ: Moira Griffin, Dublin 1. SURVEY: Miriam Tiernan, Wexford. d. Way Down In The Hole

The small print* ISSUE 5 (WINTER-SPRING) CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS: You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. WARNING: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit agreement, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. ACROSS: 7. Nassau 8. Arafat 9. Skin 10. Newlands 11. Hydrophobia 14. Kardashians 18. Bad Santa Only one entry per person (multiple entries 19. Moet 20. Coddle 21. Kansas DOWN 1. Hawkeye 2. ISBN 3. Turnip 4. Daewoo 5. Harakiri will not be considered). Entries must reach 6. Faldo 12. Rhapsody 13. Kneecap 15. Denier 16. Sharks 17. Carol 19. Many us by Friday 7th June 2019. The editor’s *Terms and conditions apply. decision is final. That’s it! PUBLIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION LTD. IS REGULATED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND. 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.

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4. What were your least favourite articles? The survey 1 ______2 ______3 ______1. What did you think of the articles in the spring-summer 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 spring-summer 2019 issue of Fórsa? 7. Any other comments?______Excellent o ______Good o ______Okay o ______Bad o ______Awful o

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48 Spring-Summer 2019 You’re better off in Fórsa

Fórsa members can save lot of money with our enhanced package of financial benefits provided or negotiated by the union. Some of these are free to all Fórsa members. Others are optional benefits, available only to Fórsa members, which can mean savings on insurance, salary protection, additional pension coverage and more.

Fórsa members are entitled to* l €5,000 illness benefit when out of work for more than 12 months l €5,000 personal accident insurance l €5,000 critical illness or death benefit l €5,000 death of a spouse or qualifying partner l Evacuation or repatriation expenses of up to €250,000 for members who die or are seriously ill abroad, including emergency medical expenses incurred for members temporarily abroad as a result of death/illness l Free legal help in bodily injury cases l Free 24/7 legal advice helpline l Free 24/7 confidential counselling helpline l Free 24/7 domestic assistance helpline. Members can opt in to Fórsa- facilitated financial benefits l Car insurance l Home insurance l Travel insurance l Additional pension benefits l Salary protection and life cover. Fórsa members can also apply for l Gaeltacht scholarships for their school-age children l Industrial relations scholarships l Benevolent grants for members in financial distress.

*Six months continuous membership is required to avail of services. Financial benefits are strictly subject to policy, terms, conditions and exclusions.See www.forsa.ie for details.