The magazine for Issue No5 Fórsa members Winter-Spring 2019 In this issue

Fórsa’s first year President Ann McGee Gender equality: getting the balance right in Fórsa 2019 goals: expanding sectors and career progression The other faces of education Women’s Equality Network The Future of Work: a four-day week ‘Always on’ work culture, and other things that can kill you Cultural activist and icon Tonie Walsh

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

Leading from the front Fórsa: One year on

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One year on and Winter-Spring 2019 Leading from looking good Fórsa the front Fórsa: One year on AS WE mark the first year of Fórsa in this edition, and look forward to a full and challenging year ahead in 2019, I am keen to express my personal gratitude to all of Fórsa is produced by Fórsa trade the people who’ve worked so hard to make this past year a success. union's Communications Unit and is edited by Niall Shanahan. In particular, I wish to express my appreciation to the former officers from the three Deputy editor Roisin McKane. forerunner organisations; Margaret Coughlan, Patricia Fanning, Michael Barry, Kevin Front cover: L-R: Anita O’Reilly, O’Malley, Alan Hanlon, Paddy Quinn, Paul O’Halloran, Terry Kelleher, Alan Duffy and Angela Kirk, Ann McGee, Florence Mark Wynne. Also, my renewed thanks to Pat Fallon and Niall McGuirk, with whom I Hickey and Fiona Fallon attending the Women’s Equality Network on served as joint president in the first half of 2018. 3rd November this year. Thanks also to our chief negotiators in the amalgamation process, former presidents Photo: Conor Healy, pictureitphotograpphy.ie Jerry King and Tony Conlon. I’ve received a warm welcome from union branches as AGM season gets underway. Contact Fórsa at: Nerney's Court, Dublin 01 R2C5. It’s been a pleasure to meet the Aer Lingus Cabin Crew, SENOs, Ag No 1 and Phone: 01-817-1500. Longford Clerical branches so far. www.forsa.ie I was delighted to be invited to the launch of the Sligo/Leitrim trades council recently. It was a very successful evening, well supported by all unions across the Designed by: counties, and chaired by our own Richy Carrothers. Speakers included Fórsa deputy N. O'Brien Design & Print Management Ltd. general secretary Kevin Callinan and an inspirational speech from youth activist Phone: 01-864-1920 Irene Tiernan. Email: [email protected] At the last meeting of Fórsa’s national executive in December, it was great to get a Printed by Boylan Print Group. briefing from lead organisers Joe, Orlagh, and Julie on campaigning, strategic Advertising sales: development and training and all the work being carried out by our organising team. Niki O’Brien. Phone: 01-864-1920. I’ve also enjoyed being involved with the great work by our branch campaign officers, Unless otherwise stated, the and I wish to acknowledge the work of our communications team, keeping us all views contained in this magazine informed of union issues. do not necessarily reflect the policy of Fórsa trade union. I’d like to thank my fellow officers – Maura, Kevin, Michael and Eugene – for their This magazine is printed on hard work, and to express our thanks to all Fórsa staff for their hard work during environmentally friendly paper, 2018. certified by the European Eco Label. This magazine is 100% As the New Year gets underway, let’s remember the colleagues, friends and family recyclable. we lost during this past year. My thanks to all the Fórsa activists for their diligent hard work, and the time they give so freely to the union, and my thanks too to Fórsa members for their continued support. I’m looking forward to the union’s continuing success in 2019, let’s continue to achieve that together. This magazine is a 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 January 2019

All suppliers to this magazine recognise ICTU-affiliated trade unions. The magazine for Fórsa members 1 In this issue Editorial Fórsa is officially one year old. In this edition we reflect on the year that’s passed, but more importantly we look ahead to the future. FÓRSA: ONE YEAR ON

Niall UNION NEWS ...... 4 Winter-Spring 2019 Shanahan. Snapshots from the news desk Look ahead Climate change A PRESIDENT’S VIEW...... 8 We talk to union president ANN McGEE A YEAR ago we were putting the season in the Spring. bring you reports and perspective on finishing touches to launching the new the future of the working week. This was Elsewhere, the union has been focusing A GOOD START ...... 11 union. One year on, it’s appropriate to the focus of a major international on the future of Irish Water. Last year reflect back on what we’ve achieved so conference hosted by Fórsa toward the Perspectives from general secretaries SHAY CODY and EOIN RONAYNE the government invited unions to far. The examples that stand out are end of 2018, winning substantial media engage in a WRC-assisted process disputes like those we encountered in coverage (and a surprising level of PICTURING GENDER ...... 12 aimed at creating a framework for the Roscommon and IALPA’s dispute with support and engagement from media A special infographic on Fórsa’s gender composition proposed transfer to a single water Ryanair. and employer groups) on the future 3 utility by 2021. There was also the breakthrough on new potential of a four-day week. CAREER PROGRESSION ...... 14 This would be four years before the entrants. The newly agreed measures Elsewhere we bring you a selection of The year ahead in Health and Welfare, we talk to ÉAMONN DONNELLY expiry of existing service level One year On identify two points on each pay scale – culture, food and opinion items with a agreements (SLAs) between Irish Water year four and year eight – which new forward looking perspective. In this and local councils, and a referendum to THE LONG GAME...... 16 entrant public servants will now skip. edition our Culture Vulture column takes underpin public ownership and control We talk to PETER NOLAN about this year’s challenges in Local Authorities a look at the latest show from theatre Looking ahead, our School Secretaries of the utility is high on the union agenda. branch are gearing up now for their pay innovators thisispopbaby. I Am Tonie EXPANDING SECTORS ...... 18 equality campaign, and have been 2019 may go down in history as the Walsh is set to tour the country this Services and Enterprises head ANGELA KIRK on a tumultuous year winning support for their efforts in year of Brexit (or will it?). It seems likely year. It’s a story of activism, both recent months. to dominate this year’s national personal and universal, setting its sights 8 conversation yet again, regardless of on the need to keep fighting: for CIVIL SERVICE ...... 20 Our Special Needs Assistants branches what happens at 11pm on Friday 29th housing, for human rights and for a have also been responding to the NCSE Gender DEREK MULLEN reflects on the first Fórsa year in Civil Service March. sustainable future. equality proposals published last year, and we’re Let’s get on with it n OTHER FACES ...... 22 also gearing up for a busy conference Looking much further into the future, we Fórsa’s Education division grows stronger, we spoke to KEVIN CALLINAN

IN PICTURES: EQUALITY NETWORKS ...... 24 The first network, Women’s Equality, launched in November 2018

12 IN PICTURES: THE FUTURE OF WORK...... 26 CONOR HEALY captures the images from our special working time event Career progression FOUR DAY WEEK...... 28 It’s time to talk about why we need to change working time

WORK IS A FOUR LETTER WORD ...... 32 Always on? That stuff’ll kill you says AINGEALA FLANNERY

EAT WELL...... 34 DANIEL DEVERY suggests you ignore the glut of New Year diet advice 14 TRAVEL PLANS ...... 36 Culture vulture Looking for somewhere different? UNA-MINH KAVANAGH is on the case

CULTURE VULTURE ...... 38 Tonie Walsh, an icon of cultural activism and social change

BOHEMIAN ROCKETMAN ...... 40 RAYMOND CONNOLLY on the gods of rock coming to a cinema near you

38 WIN WIN WIN...... 43 Crossword, competitions and prize survey

2 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 3 News Public sector pay improves Career progression top priority for 2019

CAREER PROGRESSION for health concerns and problems about capacity CIVIL AND public servants receive their next year. Earlier last year, the union also insisted service staff will be the top priority for and investment right across the service, including in prevention and health latest union-negotiated pay and pension on early measures to address the ‘new Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division in The PSSA, which was negotiated by 2019, according to its national promotion as well as primary and levy boosts from 1st January. entrants’ pay issue even though, under Fórsa and other unions in 2017, will secretary Éamonn Donnelly. community services. Fórsa needs to be Under the Public Service Stability also deliver another 1.75% salary the agreement, this was not bound to be at the forefront of that debate,” he said. Agreement (PSSA), pay will go up by 1% adjustment for all in September. Further In an interview for this edition of Fórsa dealt with until 2020 at the earliest. Read the full interview on page 14. for those earning €30,000 a year or pay boosts and another adjustment in magazine (see page 14), he said this less. The pension levy threshold will also the pension levy threshold are due next Fórsa has also called on the Public would entail protecting and extending rise to €32,000, bringing a net year. Service Pay Commission to start its the recently-won job evaluation scheme, improvement of €325 a year for most. while agreeing additional career The PSSA was accepted in ballots of work on recruitment and retention progression paths for health and social Éamonn Donnelly. Limerick Soviet There’s a further boost for those who the members of the three unions that issues in the civil service and the health care professionals. joined the public service after January amalgamated to create Fórsa last year. and social care professions, which is structure is not aligned to new HSE centenary 2013 – and who are in the single public It will also see an end to the pension also covered by the agreement. The division’s elected executive also hospital structures. And he said the service pension scheme. They will now levy on any non-pensionable elements agreed to prioritise winning a staff executive wants to “take ownership” of pay only two-thirds of the pension levy of public service incomes from January Non-pay provisions in the PSSA include publication: transfer policy, with regional clerical and strategy to increase union membership rate – a figure that will fall to one-third 2019. strong protections against outsourcing. admin panels, when it met in December in Fórsa grades. to iron out its priorities for 2019. submissions Above all, Éamonn said he was Meanwhile, the union will continue to determined that the union would be sought Unions target pay push for the Public Service Pay leading debates about health service Commission to start work on policy and development in hospitals, THE LIMERICK Writer’ Centre propose recruitment and retention issues for primary and community care, and to publish an anthology of writings and health and social care professional prevention and health promotion. artistic material in conjunction with the grades. adjustments in 2019 “The public and political debate hardly Limerick Soviet 100 Committee’s Éamonn also wants a more coordinated ever moves beyond waiting lists and special celebrations of the 100th approach to hospital groups within the trolleys. Those issues are real, but they anniversary of the Limerick Soviet. union, whose branch and regional are symptoms of a much wider set of Fórsa members are invited to submit ICTU’S PRIVATE sector committee has material for the publication, illustrating set a target of 3.4% for private sector on their thoughts on the 1919 Soviet pay settlements in 2019. The Congress welcomes and/or its legacy for Ireland in 2019. committee also said it wants to secure The Limerick Soviet was a self-declared additional benefits and continue to soviet that existed from 15th to 27th address ‘legacy issues’ in private sector disability threshold rise April 1919. employments. A general strike was organised by the The 3.4% target is up from a 3.1% Limerick Trades and Labour Council, as ambition it set for 2018. Unions say the a protest against the British Army's target takes account of expected declaration of a "Special Military Area" inflation in regard to personal under the Defence of the Realm Act, consumption, as well as increases in the which covered most of Limerick city and cost of housing and other necessities. a part of the county. The soviet ran the

Additional benefits such as improved Photo: dreamstime.com city for the period, printed its own annual leave, bonus payments, pensions money and organised the supply of food. and vouchers, have also been an The event made world, as well as increasingly common feature of national headlines, at the time, and is agreements in recent years. still seen, internationally, as a major Head of Fórsa’s Services and occurrence in labour history. Enterprises Division Angela Kirk, who is Local and national figures will be invited a member of the ICTU committee, said to contribute to the publication. It will be the union had reached a number of The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has welcomed a significant increase in edited by Dominic Taylor and John Liddy agreements in the private sector and the amount of money people with disabilities can earn before they lose their and published by The Limerick Writers' commercial semi-state bodies last year. medical card. Centre in 2019, the centenary year. These include a 3% basic salary The Government recently announced that the so-called ‘income disregard’ would increase in Dublin Airport Authority in a Submissions should be made to the rise from €6,000 a year to €22,000. ICTU called this a “significant development three-year agreement for the period up Limerick Writer Centre, 12 Barrington Photo: dreamstime.com in removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities.” to 2019. Street, Limerick, Ireland Unions believe the change, which is in line with a recommendation in the 2017 ([email protected]) by Angela added that Aer Lingus non-pilot inter-departmental report ‘Make Work Pay,’ will remove the fear of losing a medical 28th February 2019. grades agreed an 8.5% deal, to be paid card for many people with disabilities who want to work. Centenary – An anthology celebrating over 39 months from April 2017, with the Limerick Soviet 1919 scope for further increases linked to People with disabilities are currently only half as likely to be in employment as is due to be productivity. other people of working age. published no later than October 2019.

4 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 5 News HOW GREEN Oireachtas Ushers raise ARE YOU? funds for Brother Kevin THINKING ABOUT FÓRSA’S OIREACHTAS Ushers branch has raised more than €3,300 in aid of HOME RENOVATION? Brother Kevin of the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Bow Street in Dublin. THINK ABOUT A CSCU The money was raised when the branch HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN hosted a race night event to mark its annual Christmas function in December. The branch represents just over 60 6.9% (7.12 APR)* ushers working in the houses of the Oireachtas. Branch chairperson Gerry Wilson explained “The branch committee decided this year to organise a charity component to coincide with our night out in Kennedy's pub on Westland Row. “Brother Kevin is a great man and requires no introduction. He was actually there in person to receive the donation from our branch. I must say that during his speech, you could hear a Brother Kevin, Capuchin Day Centre, was in attendance at the Oireachtas pin drop,” he said. Ushers branch event to receive their donation. The Capuchin Day Centre welcomes provides food, family facilities, clothing, The centre provides around 700 hot people in need of food aid who have no showers and advocacy for people meals a day, and 1,700 food parcels a home or are socially excluded and experiencing homelessness. week. Deirdre Glynn retires from What you can expect to pay With a Home Improvement Home Term 60 Monthly Total Amount Kilkenny GDPR training Fórsa’s Galway office Improvement Repayments Payable Loan from your Civil Service Loan €10,000 5 Years €197.55 €11,851.96 Credit Union and grants €20,000 5 Years €395.09 € 23,704.04 available from SEAI... €30,000 5 Years €592.63 € 35,556.12 you can start thinking about Variable Representative Example as at 10/12/2018. making substantial savings for a ‘greener’ home. Apply For Your Home Improvement Loan Today! Call 01 6622 177 or Email [email protected] Great reasons to borrow Loan application forms available at www.cscu.ie Deirdre Glynn (centre) celebrates her retirement from CSCU: from Fórsa with her husband Mixie (right) and Fórsa SEAI Grants Available: assistant general secretary Padraig Mulligan. • Flexible repayment options • Home Insulation • Competitive interest rates • Home Controls Upgrade DEIRDRE GLYNN has retired from Fórsa’s • No penalties for early repayment • Solar Thermal Galway office after 18 years of service. Deirdre • Loan approval valid for 90 days • Heat Pump Systems worked as a cleaner at the office, and was a • familiar and friendly face to visitors at the Working Together Repayment Options Kilkenny Health & Local Government Branch held a GDPR training event Galway office throughout her time there. To learn more, go to www.seai.ie

last November. The training was delivered by Gordon Kelly of BH Also, don’t forget the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme. The Galway branch of Fórsa had a dinner in The amount you can borrow is based on your Consulting and covered, in practical terms, how the legislation will affect To learn more, go to www.revenue.ie branches. Deirdre’s honour and presented her with a gift on ability to make regular repayments. We no her retirement. All the staff and branch members longer require a set multiple of your shares. Representatives from Fórsa’s Carlow, Wexford, Kerry, Waterford, South in Galway wish Deirdre and her husband, Mixie Tipperary and Kilkenny branches attended, along with assistant general Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 PH42 (both pictured) a happy and healthy retirement Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your secretary Shay Clinton. and best wishes for the future. credit agreement, your account will go into arrears. *Variable Rate of Interest. Loans are subject to approval. APR means annual This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your percentage rate. Terms and conditions apply. ability to access credit in the future. 6 Winter-Spring 2019 Civil Service Credit Union Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. One Year On: Fórsa President ANN McGEE was elected president of Fórsa at the union’s inaugural conference in May 2018. As Fórsa president, Ann is conscious that she is a new face at the top table of the union, and has a strong belief in applying new ideas and strategies to put members first. To begin with, she’s taken to the road in her first year to meet as many members as possible. Niall Shanahan. It’s all about the members

ANN McGEE IS a clerical officer and “The amalgamation itself, the creation of earlier than planned, was also a works in the Department of Fórsa last year, was a very significant welcome example of what we can Employment Affairs and Social achievement. From the start the union achieve,” says Ann. Protection in the Sligo Pensions Office. was a force to be reckoned with She lives in Dromahair in County because of the size and reach of our Ann mentions the wide range of issues Leitrim, and family life is busy with her membership. where she feels positive about what the husband David and two teenagers. union can achieve, including the future of Irish Water, school completion Ann was a CPSU branch activist for programmes and the union’s equality several years, working daily with networks. “We’re also leading the way on seen quite a bit of organisational Ann McGee taking part in a march earlier this year in support of Roscommon workers. members on a range of issues. Before the debate about the four-day working change, others are hoping to see what the amalgamation that created Fórsa, week (see page 31) and it was great to can be achieved.” ‘bloody-minded” crusade against Ann was president of the CPSU, and see such a strong Fórsa attendance at Ryanair flexibility in the delivery of public one of the union’s three joint presidents last October’s ‘Raise the Roof’ rally.” in its early months. services. Ann was on the picket line with Ryanair Impressions pilots on four out of the five days of Ann said flexibility over working time Ann firmly believes all our voices are “It’s not about me, it’s strike action taken by pilots last July While Ann has been struck by the level worked in the interests of local needed to address the persistent and August. inequalities in our society, and is very about the members, and of hard work and commitment by government services and service-users, supportive of members and union that’s where I like to keep member activists up and down the just as it does for the staff who provide “It was important for the pilots to know representatives that have shown country, the union’s School Secretaries them. they had a link to the wider union leadership in the area of women’s rights, my focus, that’s what and four SNA branches have left a very through my contact with them, and it particular impression. “These are The dispute had provoked the first ever disability and, as she describes it, drives me.” Fórsa strike. In her address Ann said: was very helpful for me to spend time “fighting for equality for all.” predominantly female branches, with with them on the picket line and to meet members in low paid work. “This is a bit of labour history that nobody wanted to make. We are public and talk to a group of union members “From the start the union Ann says the next big challenge will be “The school secretaries have been a servants who care deeply about the that work in a very different environment. was a force to be the next round of talks for a national pay long time trying to break boundaries and services we provide in our local agreement, following the expiration of I’m delighted to see them launch their communities, and none of us “As a result of the dispute we saw the reckoned with because the PSSA next year. “We will be entering campaign for pay equity this year. The contemplate strike action lightly. But Fórsa name established throughout of the size and reach of those talks as a much larger, more SNA branches have also been very equally, we have a responsibility to Europe and other parts of the world. unified union. I think members will be active in talking to members about last stand up against injustice – and to What’s interesting now is meeting our membership.” interested to see how that works out, as year’s review by the NCSE and its protect and defend workers’ rights, people from other organisations who well as people outside the organisation.” recommendations. which have been hard-won by previous know who we are because of the generations,” she said. Since becoming president, Ann has Ann made a commitment early in her “These are branches that have been dispute, who are interested in how it all played a very active and visible role in presidency that she wanted to get out very proactive in reaching out across She describes the rally as a significant happened. the union, and continues to emphasise and meet as many members of the union the union for support, and I’m delighted Fórsa president, Ann McGee. highlight of 2018. “Many of those conversations are about her focus on the voice of Fórsa’s as possible, and has followed through to work with them to achieve that,” she “When you see an attack like that on how it took almost 30 years to get into members. on that commitment, meeting branches says. “Many people would have asked family-friendly workplace initiatives, that particular space, and that it wasn’t up and down the country to find out themselves, in the earliest days, where you’re aware that if it can be allowed to an overnight success. Crucially, we also more about what union members are will Fórsa make its mark? We asked that happen in Roscommon today, it could signed agreements with Ryanair and Achievements thinking about. Roscommon of ourselves, and the disputes in happen anywhere else tomorrow. Our their agencies to represent cabin crew, “We’ve achieved a lot, we need to stay Roscommon and at Ryanair answered “Most members I meet are keen to see a Ann addressed the rally to support members understood that, and giving Fórsa exclusive rights to focused, and continue working together that question, and showed us how much change in what a larger union can do. workers at Roscommon County Council responded to that, and the solidarity represent these workers, which was a to carve out a shared future for all the could be achieved, while a successful While members in the Civil Service and last June and accused the council of shown at the rally was huge, strong and huge achievement.” members of the union. outcome on new entrants pay, two years Services and Enterprises divisions have wasting resources in a “needless and very encouraging,” she says. continued on page 10.

8 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 9 One Year On: Fórsa President One Year On Shay Cody, senior general secretary, and Eoin Ronayne, general secretary, share their perspectives on Fórsa’s first year. 5,000 new members: Tús maith, leath na hoibre

FÓRSA, WITH over 80,000 members, is WE KNEW that to build a singular dominant already a significant force in industrial trade union out of three separate unions with relations and in wider public debate. strong public identities was going to be a massive challenge. On the industrial relations front, we secured significant improvements for our new entrant Securing recognition of Fórsa in the media members, taking two increments from their and in the minds of the public had to be a scales, two years earlier than originally critical goal from day one. As the year ends envisaged. we can safely say Fórsa has achieved what Eoin Ronayne. the PR gurus term ‘brand recognition’. Shay Cody. The long and hard work of our pilot members in Ryanair came to fruition when a negotiation Fórsa is widely accepted as the voice of of equals was created after a series of strikes and a public service workers and a key player in the community and settlement was secured. private sectors, not least because of the tremendous successes at Ryanair. Cabin crew, both in Ryanair and its agency satellites, have secured recognition agreements and we are now focusing on Fórsa is viewed as a real force to be reckoned with. This an organising campaign. success in the public domain was hard won, not just by our professional communications team but by determined activity There was widespread support across the new union for our in the workplace by our officials, elected representatives and Fórsa President Ann McGee addresses the crowd at a rally in support of Roscommon County Council workers. members in Roscommon County Council in their struggle members in general. against an employer who rejoices in limiting availability of Building a single coherent internal organisation out of three On the road to be visible to those members, and also “I’d like to ensure they’re better aware of flexitime. that I’m contactable and approachable. what union membership can offer when different bodies has been, and continues to be, a huge task. Ann describes the average working I’ve spent time with each of the they enter the workplace, as well as Our members in higher education secured a long promised job Integrating three separate representative structures and week as president: “Hectic! I pack a car divisional executives too, in order to get aware of how much power they have as evaluation scheme. head office teams – while at the same time striving to protect on a Monday and I possibly don’t get a better feel for the issues they’re citizens with a vote. I’d like to see what respective cultures and traditions – is challenging. home again until Saturday.” dealing with.” we could do to boost that in secondary Nevertheless, we have successfully held initial divisional schools, especially in rural Ireland.” “In 2018, over 5,000 new conferences for Service & Enterprises and the Civil Service, Ann and I talk about how, for almost Ann has also taken up invitations to as bringing together delegates from all three former entities for every member in the union, the gold many branch AGMs as possible, making members joined Fórsa.” the first time. standard of communication is the face- for a very busy start to 2019 as AGM “Ann is very to-face contact they have with their season is in full swing. She’s keen to These were followed by the first ever national Fórsa biennial local reps. Ann recognises this and meet lots of Civil Service branches in supportive of members We are at the forefront of public debate on all the issues that conference which firmly put the union at the centre of national wants her presidency, as much as order to see how things are going for and union shape our society and influence the terms and conditions of public affairs, and we were indeed honoured by the President possible, to compliment that people as we mark a year of Fórsa’s our members and the living standards of their families. of Ireland Michael D Higgins delivering the keynote address. relationship with members. existence. representatives That involves securing and holding a place for us as a serious “As the year ends we can safely say “The process of change is still that have shown contributor in all national dialogue. All the delegates at our “We’re also leading happening for some branches of the initial biennial conference would have seen the esteem held Fórsa has achieved what the PR gurus leadership in the area for our new union by our President, Michael D Higgins. the way on the debate union, and I’m keen to hear what that term ‘brand recognition’.” experience has been like for people. I of women’s rights Similarly, in the House of the Oireachtas, we advocated for want to be able to answer their about the four-day the restoration of tax relief on union subscriptions in front of a Throughout the country branch representatives are coming to questions and to reaffirm that we’re all and disabilities.” sizable group of Oireachtas members and their terms with working within new structures, policies and working week and it working toward building a bigger, representatives. procedures. Over the year we have painstakingly drawn stronger union for all members. Our was great to see Ann takes the opportunity in our chat to together these necessary tools that enable Fórsa to act on strength lies not just in recruiting new Fórsa’s working time seminar received widespread publicity acknowledge the hard work of Fórsa behalf of its members. such a strong Fórsa people, but also in retaining our existing as heavyweight platform speakers discussed the future of staff across the country. “They do a lot work. attendance at last members.” of hard work on behalf of the members, This has meant differing levels of change for different parts of particularly in this inaugural year.” In 2018, over 5,000 new members joined Fórsa. These the union but, over time, the wisdom of creating singular sets October’s ‘Raise the members have no historical memory of the three of structures, policies, procedures and staff organisation will Reaching out Ann has thoroughly enjoyed her role as amalgamating unions. Over time, this will become the largest solidify our union and deliver a platform for greater cohesion. Roof’ rally.” president so far, and is looking forward block of our membership. In the meantime, we must continue Tús maith leath na hoibre – a good start is half the work. Our Concerned about a possible ‘disconnect’ to the challenges that will present to strive to retain the best traditions of our forerunners as we Fórsa organisation is well on its way. The integration project “Because I had previously been the with younger people, Ann is very keen to themselves in 2019. “It’s not about me, build a significant organised force and voice in our workplaces will make further strides in 2019 towards delivering a better CPSU president, there was a huge explore initiatives to boost trade union it’s about the members, and that’s where and in our wider society. union for all. section of the membership I hadn’t met, awareness and civil society I like to keep my focus, that’s what and I felt strongly that it was important engagement among teenagers. drives me.” Shay Cody, senior general secretary n Eoin Ronayne, general secretary n

10 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 11 Fórsa gender equality

Fórsa’s 80,000-strong membership is diverse, with members in a wide DIVISIONAL LEVEL: variety of grades and occupations working throughout the country. Since the formation of the new union it’s been vital to understand the FEMALE INVOLVEMENT IN THE UNION composition of the union’s branches and divisions in terms of gender. DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY IN 4 OUT OF THE 6 DIVISIONS This series of infographics was recently presented to the the union’s Consultative Council, made up of representatives from all our branches, and Fórsa's National Executive Committee in order to provide a snapshot of the union’s current gender balance. This data will help inform the union’s work to improve gender representation throughout the union.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

SENIOR POSITIONS ARE PREDOMINATELY MALE WHILE Women make up the majority of ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE Fórsa members across the country OVERWHELMINGLY FEMALE BRANCH EXECUTIVE LEVEL

12 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 13 One Year On: Health and Welfare division After a sound year of delivery on its industrial relations priorities, Fórsa’s health division is poised to position the union in broader health debates. We spoke to national secretary ÉAMONN DONNELLY.

Bernard Harbor. Health challenges should hold no fear

THE HEAD of Fórsa’s Health and example, includes an increased focus on “I’m very conscious of the frustrating Welfare division, Éamonn Donnelly, was delivering better career pathways for waits that many members are in expansive form when I spoke to him health and social care professions experiencing. But we’ve taken effective “In job evaluation we’ve taken last December. (“huge for us,” says Donnelly) – in the steps to speed things up, and over 300 need for better services in community posts have now moved in the past 12 “I’d say we’ve delivered more than 75% effective steps to speed things up, and primary care. months as a result,” says Donnelly. of the industrial relations priorities we set ourselves in health at the beginning Éamonn also roots this work in the and over 300 posts have now moved of 2018, and that’s aside from the pay Job evaluation broader Fórsa campaign to close the recovery underway for all health gender pay gap. “The union is doing a lot in the past 12 months as a result.” workers – including the so-called new A similar thread ran through the union’s of work on the policy side, including entrants – under the public service pay successful campaign to have job leading the charge on pay gap reporting agreement,” he said. evaluation reactivated for health service legislation. But wins like job evaluation clerical and administrative staff just are the other side of that coin. Most Donnelly believes the progress he available outcome. We saw the injustice paths for health and social care “It’s an exciting challenge. The union’s over a year ago. An eight-year clerical and admin staff are women, so outlines – in community health of staff being denied pay restoration professionals is also in the mix, and organising efforts have increased suspension of the scheme created a lot any mechanism to improve their career organisation structures, job evaluation, simply because they work outside the Éamonn will continue to push for the exponentially over the last few years, of pent-up demand from workers who path is going to help shift the pay gap,” pay recovery in ’section 39’ mainstream public service. But we also Public Service Pay Commission to start but all of us – officials, elected reps and took on substantial extra he says. organisations, and elsewhere – has also knew that some poorly-funded work on recruitment and retention branches – have a responsibility to get responsibilities as staff numbers fell worked to position the union as a unique organisations simply didn’t have the issues for these grades. involved. More recruitment means more dramatically during the crisis. voice in health service debates. And this money. What’s the point of restoring pay workers are protected, and it gives us Pay “Staffing issues in these professions are is something he means to develop in if it leads to closed services and job the resources and clout to deliver more making it even harder to sustain current 2019 and beyond. Pay has moved for most health workers losses,” he asks. for existing members too.” over the past year, with the ongoing community and hospital services, let implementation of the Public Service Éamonn says the campaign has alone work towards the ambitious Above all, Éamonn is determined that Community healthcare Stability Agreement. The deal saw a underlined the need to look afresh at service targets set out in Sláintecare. the union will participate in – and lead – further 1% pay increase for staff how community and voluntary Now that it’s published its report on debates about health service policy and organisation are funded in the round. nursing and medical consultants, it’s “Take community health structures. This earning up to €30,000 in January, as developments in hospitals, primary and “Nobody wants to inhibit independence essential that the pay commission is a huge issue for Fórsa members’ pay well as a pension levy alteration worth community care and health promotion. and conditions as we represent and innovation in the community and moves to the next module and starts up to €325 a year. “The public and political debate hardly thousands of staff in community and voluntary sector. But we need to get to work on a deeper study of recruitment ever moves beyond waiting lists and primary care, vital areas that tend to get A further 1.75% rise is due for all in a situation where organisations that are and retention problems in other parts of trolleys. Those issues are real, but they left behind in largely hospital-focussed September, with additional increases on mainly funded by the state to provide the health service,” he says. are symptoms of a much wider set of health debates. track for next year. health and community services for the The union will also be pursuing a staff state are treated in the same way as concerns and problems about capacity transfer policy, with regional clerical and “But it’s an even bigger issue for families direct state bodies,” he says. and investment right across the service, and communities that need and deserve Section 39 admin panels, and Éamonn wants to including in prevention and health primary care in their localities. Our Éamonn Donnelly. press for a more coordinated approach promotion as well as primary and health service is too hospital-centric. Fórsa’s Health and Welfare division has to hospital groups within the union, community services,” he says. “The hard-won reintroduction of job The year ahead Investment in primary care close to also spent 2019 working for pay whose branch and regional structure is evaluation gives admin staff the hope “Fórsa needs to be at the forefront of citizens is a public good in its own right. restoration in so-called ‘section 39’ The elected divisional executive met in not aligned to new hospital structures. that their efforts to improve and do that debate, but this comes with a test. And it would also free-up badly needed agencies, which are publically-funded December to iron out its priorities for more can be recognised. The If we want to be at the centre of the capacity for those who really have to go but independent of the state. “We’ve 2019. Guarding the job evaluation implementation has been challenging debate about health service planning to hospital, where our members are made progress for workers in some scheme, and extending it to grade VIIs Growing strength over the past year but, having won the and delivery, the union’s officials, reps struggling against the odds to deliver organisations, but there’s a way to go is one priority. “The exclusion of grade principle, the union has used its Éamonn is pleased that the divisional and branches need to see ourselves as quality services,” he says. yet. VIIs is just discrimination,” says influence to get extra resources, which executive has also said it wants to take leaders as well as industrial relations Donnelly. That’s why the division has framed has more than doubled the capacity to “We’re convinced the approach we took ownership of the strategy to increase practitioners. That’s a challenge we Fórsa’s industrial agenda – which, for do evaluations. represented the best chance of the best Agreeing additional career progression union membership in Fórsa grades. should take on, rather than fear.” n

14 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 15 One Year On: Local Authorities A dispute in Roscommon marked Forsa’s very first industrial action. While successful, there remains work to do, while the future of Irish Water remains central to the union’s agenda. We spoke to head of division PETER NOLAN about the challenges facing our Municipal and Local Government and Local Services divisions as the year ahead takes shape. Hazel Gavigan. Playing the long game

DURING THE summer of 2018, Fórsa impassioned speeches under the continuing currently with meetings engaged in its very first industrial blistering sun about the significance of ongoing in the WRC. action, as Roscommon county council that day. workers mounted a number of one-day Peter says that, unfortunately, another “We are public servants who care deeply strikes over management’s refusal to issue has since arisen in the council about the services we provide in our halt its effective ban on flexi-leave. “A regarding work sharing. “These workers local communities, and none of us piece of labour history that nobody have faced adversity before and will no contemplate strike action lightly. But wanted to make” remarked the union’s doubt overcome this new dispute with equally, we have a responsibility to president, Ann McGee. the help and efforts of the union. It is stand up against injustice – and to expected to go to the WRC for The union has commissioned an Fórsa members marching in support of their comrades in Roscommon Head of division, Peter Nolan also noted protect and defend workers’ rights, conciliation and we aim to resolve it this independent consultant to produce a County Council earlier this year the work underway to secure a job which have been hard-won by previous year,” he said. evaluation scheme in the sector, and the generations,” Ann McGee declared. business case to bring to the Labour Court. Fórsa is now awaiting advice a referendum to underpin public will be confined to local authority current battle to retain the provision of ownership and control of the utility. workers,” he says. water services in public ownership. Job evaluation from the Court on how to proceed so These were all big issues in 2018 and this is sure to be a high point on the Peter said local authority staff have Developing opportunities for career will remain to the fore in the year ahead. From Roscommon to Kerry, there were agenda for this year. growing fears that a mass movement of progression remains a cornerstone of three motions on job evaluations which council staff to Irish Water control could union policy and Peter says the union is were adopted at Fórsa’s national be a stepping stone to water working to achieve a “radical” reform of Battle in Roscommon conference in Killarney. Two of which Water’s future privatisation unless a referendum takes the Common Recruitment Pool which he called for the union to pursue job place first. “The Government’s initiative says is no longer fit for purpose. Fórsa members in Roscommon County An issue that will remain central to the evaluations across the public sector, is fraught with risk and could jeopardise Council engaged in four one-day strikes union’s agenda this year is the future of and the third called for them to be the continuity of safe drinking and throughout June and July over council Irish Water. “In a strong display of pursued within all the union’s divisions. waste water supplies,” he says. management’s block on flexible working Last year, the government announced trade union solidarity, arrangements, which was in defiance of The motions reflect the changes its to create a single water utility by The meeting with the minister gave hundreds of Fórsa a Labour Court recommendation. brought across the public sector during 2021, four years before the expiry of unions the opportunity to communicate the moratorium on recruitment during service level agreements with local workers' concerns about the status and members, along with “Peter says the union is the economic crisis, and how staff have authorities. governance of any new entity, the need risen to the challenge to maintain and for a constitutional referendum to staff from branches all in good shape to take on improve services before public service prevent the privatisation of public water over the country the challenges of the recruitment resumed. “The Government’s services, the need to maintain staffing levels in water services and the need to gathered in Roscommon Job evaluation is an established tool initiative is fraught with year ahead.” Peter Nolan. maintain long term sustainability in local that allows the knowledge, skills and and rallied in support After two further days of strike action, risk and could jeopardise government. responsibilities associated with the National Oversight Body stepped in their colleagues’ efforts.” The action affected all council services individual jobs – rather than grades or the continuity of safe and ruled that in order for Roscommon after at least 12 months had passed County Council, as an employer, to staff categories – to be assessed and He adds that the union is supporting the since any Roscommon council worker drinking and waste The year ahead prevent itself breaching the terms of the appropriately rewarded. Peter explains push for legislation to allow Dublin fire was approved for flexi-leave – Public Service Stability Agreement that “while a job evaluation doesn’t water supplies.” Peter adds the union continues to focus brigade staff to retire at age 60, and a arrangements which are in place in (2018-2020), that it re-engage in the guarantee an upgrading, it enables it to on protecting and developing members’ process to move the ambulance service every other local authority in Ireland. pilot scheme process, and develop happen if the responsibilities of a job career prospects. “A positive ballot by to Tallaght needs to be resolved. Unions have continued to oppose any In a strong display of trade union proposals for full implementation of have increased enough.” members last year secured guarantees plans to transfer staff out of local Peter says the union is in good shape to solidarity, hundreds of Fórsa members, family-friendly policies through the for staff with more than 12 months Speaking in support of the motions at authorities without their agreement. take on the challenges of the year along with staff from branches all over Workplace Relations Commission service who might otherwise have been the time Peter said “the union wanted all Unions met with local government ahead. “We’re anticipating another the country gathered in Roscommon on (WRC). shortlisted out of an interview by online its members to have the opportunity to minister Eoghan Murphy at the end of productive year, we’re ready for it, and Saturday the 23rd June and rallied in psychometric testing. The council workers welcomed an have their jobs independently assessed, 2018 and said there’s no chance of we’re looking forward to laying the support their colleagues’ efforts. agreement that saw flexi-time and flexi- but said schemes would likely differ in winning support for his plans to bring “This year will see the union seeking groundwork for a wide range of other The rally concluded in the town square leave made available to them on a two- details to suit the sectors and services 3,500 local authority workers under the agreement on the creation of a field of initiatives at our divisional conference in where various stakeholders gave month trial basis in July. This is concerned.” control of Irish Water in the absence of competition for grades IV to VII which April.” n

16 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 17 One Year On: Services and Enterprises division Fórsa’s Services and Enterprises division speaks for workers in the private companies, commercial and non- commercial semi-state organisations, and parts of the community sector. We spoke to national secretary ANGELA KIRK about how 2019 is shaping up.

Bernard Harbor. Expanding sectors outline new goals

BY THE end of 2018, immediate pay but this is something we’ll need to keep “Between them, the creation of Fórsa issues had been settled for most Fórsa an eye on. At the end of last year, unions and the fast-moving developments in members in the union’s 6,700-strong set a 3.4% target for private sector pay Ryanair made 2018 a signature year in “The union will also be working on the impact of voluntary redundancies on remaining staff in eir and An Post,” says Angela. Services and Enterprises division. But deals in 2019. If this is met, we’ll see terms of recruitment and organisation in the division. I’m looking forward to this year its national secretary Angela the beginning of a divergence with the “One welcome side-effect of this was Last November, the executive made a insisting that staff and customers have working with branches and the Kirk expects a lot of action on the PSSA terms as that agreement the strengthening of the new union’s detailed examination of the divisional certainty and security going forward,” divisional executive to consolidate that organising front. approaches its end in 2020,” she says. international work and profile. It’s fair to membership with a view to ensuring says Angela. in the coming year,” says Angela. Angela says the productivity issue had say that our IALPA branch led the way in that existing structures were working the European-wide Ryanair pilots’ “broken from the trends of recent years” Ryanair pilots won recognition at the for the range of members and the campaign. Our efforts on cabin crew in the private and commercial semi- end of 2017 following the threat of complexity of issues facing branches Development industrial action in a company reeling also included a substantial international state sector. “Most awards have steered representing workers in a huge variety from pilot shortages that led it to cancel dimension,” says Angela. of professions, grades and sectors. Last year also saw the establishment of clear of the productivity terms we saw hundreds of flights months earlier. A a network of branches representing in the post-crisis period. Where change series of one-day pilot strikes and “We’ve established a sub-group to take non-commercial semi-state staff, and a clauses exist, they are now largely tied “many, many hours of talks,” which kept “Talks on cabin crew this further in 2019 and we’ve already meeting of union reps took place in to additional pay boosts,” she explains. the budget airline in the headlines done a survey of 11 branches as a October. “We’ll be developing this and it throughout last summer, eventually led pay and working prelude to more detailed work on will include regular meetings, perhaps to a collective agreement on base conditions got underway mapping membership and recruitment along the lines of ‘divisional councils,’ Ryanair transfers, seniority and other matters. potential across the division. We’ll also which have successfully existed in other towards the end of 2018 be looking at communications, training divisions over the years,” Angela Angela Kirk. One company where pay remains very after a tumultuous year and campaigns,” says Angela. promises. Staff in non-commercial semi-state much on the agenda is Ryanair. Talks on Recognition Staff in the non-commercial sector will organisations are covered by the Public cabin crew pay and working conditions in which the union won got underway towards the end of 2018 also be closely watching civil service Service Stability Agreement (PSSA). By the end of the year, the union had recognition for pilots Pension justice They received a 1% pay increase in after a tumultuous year in which the also won recognition for directly- discussions on the movement of staff January, as well as a pension levy union won recognition for pilots and employed and agency cabin crew in the and crew – including One continuing campaign is the union’s between government departments and alteration worth up to €325 a year. A crew – including agency staff – in the airline, and a sustained organisation and long-running effort to win pensions semi-state agencies. agency staff – in the justice for community employment further 1.75% rise is due in September, formerly anti-union company. recruitment effort was put in place. This is among a range of issues that supervisors, who are currently denied with additional increases on track for formerly anti-union impact on workers in both sectors. any occupational pension provision next year. Another is the much-criticised company.” despite providing a vital public service. ‘PeoplePoint’ HR system, which has Meanwhile, the union finalised pay The supervisors recently balloted in caused great frustration to those who agreements that take most of its favour of industrial action and the union use and provide the service. members in the private and commercial The latter included a European has also pressed the issue through semi-state sectors into 2020, the same Transport Federation (ETF) summit of ICTU’s community sector committee. “The Road Safety Authority branch year that the PSSA expires. For the Ryanair cabin crew, hosted in late brought a motion on this issue to our Angela says the union will also be most part, these are broadly in line with summer in Fórsa’s Dublin office, which very successful divisional conference in working on the impact of voluntary PSSA increases, according to Angela, was the prelude to successful Galway last year, and it has also been and most come without the productivity redundancies on remaining staff in eir recognition campaigns in Ireland and the focus of much discussion in the conditions common in the sector in the and An Post. Both companies saw elsewhere. union’s Civil Service division,” according years immediately following the crisis. significant job reductions in 2019, and to Angela. “On foot of these campaigns, our there are fears over what impact this ambition is to bring hundreds – if not will have on both staff and organisations This year’s Services and Enterprises 2020 target thousands – of aviation workers into the they work for. division conference takes place in Sligo union. But our focus is much wider than in May. Clearly there’s going to be a lot “Although they aren’t identical, pay has that. We are targeting recruitment and “Our officials will be engaging with to discuss, and a lot to report. been moving in a similar direction in the organisation across the division,” management to get a clear picture of different sectors across the division, Ryanair pilots picketing outside Dublin Airport. according to the national secretary. the future in both companies. We’re Interview by Bernard Harbor n

18 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 19 One Year On: Civil Service division more of the same in 2019. “There are over three years to minimise the impact The measures identify two points on As part of our year in review series, we look back at a big issues for the Civil Service division on internal promotions. each pay scale – year four and year in 2019. My priority will be to ensure eight – which new entrant public “We also saw the introduction of busy year for Fórsa’s new look Civil Service division and that we deal with the members’ issues servants will now skip, ensuring an additional higher scales at CO level. Two and the detailed agenda arising at equitable outcome for new entrants in we talk to new head of division DEREK MULLEN about days additional annual leave for COs General Council, our main industrial different circumstances. and EOs was also agreed and applied to the year gone by and to look ahead to 2019. relations forum. related service, professional and technical grades. Diarmaid Mac a Brexit challenge Bhaird. “The establishment of “A steering committee was also established by the national shared Casting an eye ahead, Derek says there the committee to services office (NSSO) in the autumn to are a number of issues on the agenda examine the role of HR examine the role of HR shared services, heading into next year. “In particular the formally known as PeoplePoint.” implications of Brexit for staffing in Brexit and problem shared services – Revenue and Agriculture and other The establishment of the committee departments. A range of HR policies will formerly PeoplePoint - was the result of union pressure to also be on the table for negotiation, was the result of union address serious issues which had arisen including a proposal for an attendance with the system. It will oversee work on policy by DPER and ongoing discussions solving – the year ahead pressure to address an official survey of civil servants about on disciplinary codes. serious issues which had their experience of the system, and is tasked with accelerating necessary arisen with the system.” improvements. Derek warns, however, that the committee’s progress has been “Recruitment far too slow to date. “I will also continue to press for the and organising will be transition of the state’s IR structures, a key priority too, the WRC and the Labour Court. While New entrant pay the conciliation and arbitration scheme particularly among has served its purpose, there’s no agreement reason why civil servants shouldn’t have Garda staff where In September, newly agreed measures the same access as all other workers to on public service new entrants’ pay civilianization will the states IR services. concluded the task of addressing the see our potential “At departmental level, Brexit staffing in two additional points post-2010 customs and agriculture will be a recruits had on their pay scales, which membership double priority too. Organisationally, I want to meant it took them two years longer to over the next improve communications with members, reach the top of their scale. ensuring updated information on a few years.” regular basis. I also want to work with the divisional executive to ensure they have as much support as they need to carry out their work efficiently and “We also expect to be negotiating within the new Fórsa structures. welcome amendments to the annual leave circular with a view to removing “Recruitment and organising will be a the onerous three-year carry over of key priority too, particularly among leave, aspects which can cause Garda staff where civilianization will see members so much difficulty. We will our potential membership double over also conduct a review of the family- the next few years,” he says. friendly suite of options in the Civil Service, particularly to deal with concerns arising with schemes such as Agenda the shorter working year. Looking back on 2018, Derek says a “Another important piece of work we will number of agreements were reached continue this year is the review of Members of the Civil Service DEC at their meeting on Tuesday 11th December. that addressed several issues members competitive processes in the Civil in the division put to the top of the Service including the use of ALMOST A year on from the creation of reaching an agreement on a new servants moving to the Civil Service will agenda at both the divisional and psychometric testing for shortlisting. national conferences. Fórsa, it has been a particularly busy entrants pay deal to skip two points on retain pay levels as they move across. “Discussions on graduate recruitment and eventful year for the Civil Service their scale. Over the summer, Fórsa secured an the role of administrative officers, HEO There have also been a number of division. It was always likely that the agreement that will see an additional recruitment, and a new departure changes at the top of the Civil Service formation of Ireland’s largest public 10% of all executive officer (EO) posts Derek Mullen. arising from the PSSA involving an IT service union would see the biggest Pay, change and division. Derek Mullen is the new head filled through internal or apprenticeship scheme at EO level,” he The measures mean that public changes occur in the Civil Service of the division. This follows the interdepartmental competition. says. division, and that has proven to be the communications departure of former Fórsa joint general servants are now no longer at a long- secretary Tom Geraghty, who has taken The discussions also included a new EO term disadvantage based on the year in With an expanded, and growing, case. Toward the end of 2018 work was up a post as deputy chair of the Labour liability agreement that will see the open which they were recruited. The membership and a full agenda for ongoing to finalise agreement on a new The highlights include the civil service Court. and interdepartmental liability for EO measures were agreed two years earlier 2019, Derek says the entire Civil divisional conference in April, Fórsa’s starting pay on promotion circular which competitions reduce to 400 posts (from than originally anticipated, and Service divisional executive and national conference in May, the election will simplify the original circular, abolish Derek says it’s been as exciting a time over a thousand), with the process of completed the task which began with industrial team are ready for another of Fórsa president Ann McGee and mark time and ensure that public as it has been eventful, and is expecting equalising the sequences to be done merging the pay scales in 2013. busy year n

20 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 21 One Year On: Education

“I think it should enable the sector to As Fórsa’s Education division prepares for its argue for a greater share of state fourth biennial conference in April, we spoke to funding for the technology part of the higher education sector. We’re affiliated deputy general secretary KEVIN CALLINAN about to the Coalition for Public Funding for the campaign and industrial objectives for this Higher Education, along with other unions and the USI, and there is a need fast-growing division of the union. to push the debate forward on funding higher education this year.

Niall Shanahan. “The opportunities that will emerge from the tech university sector, in terms of research, development and innovation could be significant for the Irish economy, provided that there’s good The other faces leadership there,” he says. Job evaluation Following industrial action and talks at the Workplace Relations Commission of education (WRC) last year, a deal was struck which makes provision for the commencement employment grouping, not just within School secretaries with the Minister. of a job evaluation scheme for library, the school system, but within the clerical and administrative and support economy and society. affected, is just not on. It wouldn’t WITH MORE than 11,000 members Under the terms of a 2015 arbitration “We’ve also had great solidarity from the staff roles in the higher education Last year’s report and recommendations happen with any other profession and I working in non-teaching roles finding, the payment of four separate teaching unions, particularly the INTO, sector. by the NCSE initiated a significant don’t think we can accept it. Also, we throughout the education sector, pay rises of 2.5 per cent for school and we’ve certainly had some traction in consultation exercise between the union need to guard against any abuse of a Fórsa’s Education division continues to secretaries and caretakers were the political system. I think we’re well and SNA members nationwide. change in job title or job role that would grow rapidly. completed on 1st January this year, set now to build on the support we have, result in any detriment to the children to with the application of a 2.5% pay and to have a good campaign.” “The NCSE consultation meetings – 28 As preparations get underway for the whom the service is provided,” he says. meetings held over a six week period - divisional conference in April, Fórsa’s adjustment. were hugely positive, and gave the union Kevin adds that the improved timing of School Secretaries branch is finalising Kevin said the adjudication finding Technological the opportunity to explain what’s the publication of SNA allocations - won its preparations to launch a national called on the parties to meet during happening, as well as allowing SNAs to by the union in 2018 – marked a much- campaign to improve secretaries’ pay universities 2019 in order to agree what would express their concerns directly about needed change. “We forced the this year. come after the current agreement. Already 2019 has seen the the NCSE recommendations,” he says. department, under threat of industrial action, to deliver on a commitment to “That’s why we’re launching a major establishment of the first technological “There was a huge amount of publish the allocations earlier. campaign now to try and influence the university in Dublin, following the consistency from meeting to meeting, merger of Dublin, Tallaght and political system around this, to try and so members are very clear about what “We’ve had a recent change of minister Blanchardstown institutes of Incoming head of division Andy Pike. shape Budget 2020, which will be concerns them. The union is seeking a and we’ll have to ensure Minister Joe technology. Kevin says it marks a very announced in October, in order to try to direct input into the process. That McHugh is equally aware of the significant change within the higher The union delegation in the final set of achieve pay parity for school means we expect the NCSE and the significance of the timely publication of education sector, and Fórsa members WRC talks was led by incoming head of secretaries with their public service department to listen to our concerns the allocations. In fairness to the have been deeply engaged with the division Andy Pike. counterparts. and take them on board. Lip service department, they said their system has process to create the new universities. Kevin says it was vital that the union “We still have members who are won’t be enough. changed, so I’m hopeful that’s resolved won the dispute. “There’s no doubt, after employed in the old 1978 scheme, who for good,” he adds. such a long period with no recruitment, are on normal public service pay and “The improved timing of “In the dispute on job there is a need to give members the conditions. All of our members in evaluation in higher opportunity to test whether or not their the publication of SNA Push ahead schools within the ETB system are paid particular role is being properly graded allocations – won by the as they should be, on normal public education, our members and remunerated. Kevin says the division will also see service terms and conditions, and this union in 2018 – marked a work continuing in a number of key “We’re doing the preparatory work now will be our big push to get that for all showed great resolve, areas in education, including efforts to to ensure the scheme is effective when much-needed change.” school secretaries.” regularise employment conditions for and there was great it’s introduced. It’s an important victory. school completion staff, and dealing It wasn’t an easy dispute, but our leadership shown by with the introduction of shared services members stuck together, showed great “Now that we’ve been able to hear the Support in the Education and Training Boards the branch.” resolve, and there was great leadership views of hundreds of SNAs directly, (ETBs). The branch’s voice and identity has shown by the branch.” we’re much better equipped to deal Kevin Callinan. grown in recent years, and Kevin says assertively with the report and its “Our officers and industrial staff “Following quite quickly from the this has helped win support from recommendations, such as the proposal continue to have a full agenda for the Caretakers and secretaries pay rates establishment of the new university in outside the organisation. SNAs to change the job title to ‘inclusion year ahead, and we’ll be hoping to make vary, as they are determined by the Dublin we’ll see the creation of the support assistant’. some significant gains again.” individual board of management of each “We’ve had some very good coverage of Munster technological university, and Special needs assistants remain the school, and paid from the ancillary the issue, including analysis by Mick one for the South East with Carlow and fastest growing bloc of membership in “I don’t find the way this is being done to The divisional conference, under the grants paid to the schools by the Clifford in the Irish Examiner and on Waterford institutes of technology, and the union. With 15,000 whole-time- be an acceptable approach. I’m not working title of The other faces of Department of Education and Skills. RTE’s Drivetime on more than one the possibility of a Connacht/Ulster equivalents employed around the saying we can’t agree a change of job education will take place in Almost all are paid below the scale paid occasion, in the context of looking at alliance of Letterkenny, Sligo and country (roughly 18,000 SNAs), Kevin title but I think just landing in a new title, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan to equivalent public service workers. precarious work. Galway/Mayo institutes shortly after. says this makes them a very significant without consulting the workers from 24th to 26th April n

22 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 23 Fórsa Equality Networks

The launch of the Fórsa Women’s Activist Network took place on Saturday 3rd November 2018 at Fórsa’s Nerney's Court Office. This national meeting was the first of a series of new equality networks to be established by the union’s Equality committee over the coming months. The meeting was opened by ICTU general secretary Patricia King and featured speakers on the gender pay gap, access to flexible working schemes and the role of women within Fórsa. ROISIN MCKANE captures some of the images and comments from the event. Roisin McKane.

Engaging and stark conversations took place surrounding sexual Fórsa Women’s Activist Network harassment and bullying in the workplace. Powerful personal statements about the impact of harassment on women in the workplace, and a strong response by ICTU General Secretary Patricia King on the need to radically change the culture of workplaces that enable and tolerate harassment. “Power and disrespect are huge factors in this. The bottom line is that this shouldn’t be tolerated and it must be stopped. Respect is paramount,” Patricia King. Informative and thoroughly enjoyable segment by Laura Bambrick which brought us through the history of women in social policy. Fascinating to see how attitudes towards women since the early 1800’s shaped legislation and the tax framework. “1952 see’s 12 weeks paid maternity leave for women which was a huge win. However, most won’t receive this as they are unable to work due to the marriage bar,” Laura Bambrick.

Jennifer Bradley and Niamh Jordan.

L-R: Cliodhna McNamara, Angela Kirk, Dr Lisa Wilson, Patricia King, Orla O’Connor, Dr Laura Bambrick, Melissa Brennan and Ann McGee. “It is important, as a group of active women trying to build this network, that we develop the appropriate strategy so that we can go back to our workplaces and get the issues we speak about today discussed at the highest possible level,” Angela Kirk. Haryriye Ylldrim and Penny Bartlett.

Catriona McEhinney and Marie Little. Rachael Ingersoll and Aine Bullock.

Dr Lisa Wilson (left) economist with NERI pictured “The gender pay gap is a direct with Dr Laura Bambrick. consequence of women not being Dr Wilson delved into the importance of recruited into senior roles and flexible work for women in the workplace. continuing their careers. Only 7% of “Flexible employment has allowed women to women are surgeons and olnly 11% engage in employment while still allowing of women in IOT’s hold senior roles. them to participate in responsibilities they We have an enormous amount to do may have outside of the workplace. in terms of senior positions for “Gender inequality stems from a range of issues. Until we achieve women,” Orlxa O’Connor, NWCI on the However, flexible should not mean low paid equal status in all positions of authority, only then will we be in a or poor conditions,” Lisa Wilson. position to exercise influence, ensuring society operates on the issue of the gender pay gap.

Photos: Conor Healy. Photos: Conor principles of true gender equality,” Patricia King. Delegates Dabney Melia and Josefina Riubrugent. 24 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 25 Future of Work

Fórsa hosted an international conference looking at the Conny Schoenhardt from German trade issues of working time, automation and the merits of a union IG Metall that four-day week as a model of work for changing times. recently negotiated HAZEL GAVIGAN recorded the event for social media a collective with images, capturing the key comments of the day. agreement giving workers the option

Hazel Gavigan. of more money or more self- determination in working hours. Aine Mannion, David Murphy, Daniel Copperthwaite Working time and and Karen McCarthy. future-proofing

Keynote speaker Kate Bell, head of economics and social affairs Catherine O’Sullivan and Orla Daly. at the TUC. Angela Reilly and Stephanie Kelly.

Aidan Harper from the Four Day Week campaign explains a working time reduction will lead to greater benefits for our economy, gender equality, society, health and wellbeing, and benefits for the environment too. A Q&A with the panel discussing benefits of reduced working time. Full house of delegates.

Dr Aileen O’Carroll from Maynooth University says from her research, people wouldn’t opt to give up their work entirely but Mark Hooper, founder of Indycube would opt to “The idea of working to live rather than living Ltd. tells the room “a four-day week is to work is not new and has been at the very Anne Ryan from Feasta explaining the need to a starting point but it needs to be lessen it to work heart of the trade union and labour work towards a just, stable and resilient part of a broader coalition of changes on other projects. movement from the earliest days.” – ecological economy and society, where human and challenges.” Professor John Ashton, former chairman of and planetary wellbeing are at the centre of all Fórsa president Ann McGee and Anita O’Reilly. the UK Public Health Association. decision making. See also pages 28 and 31.

26 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 27 Future of Work Almost 90 years ago, the legendary economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that technological change would deliver productivity improvements that would eventually lead to a 15-hour working week. KEVIN CALLINAN, deputy general secretary of Fórsa, says that while new technologies like artificial intelligence threaten at least some of our livelihoods, it’s appropriate to ask why all the benefits of that technology seem to be earmarked for a small global elite. Kevin Callinan. It’s time to talk about

working time four-day week at the centre of its Trade unions don’t want to impede workers in 280 companies to reduce response to automation and technological developments in a 21st their working time. productivity-driving technological century Luddite escapade. We know Fórsa’s conference was designed to change. that they have the potential to take a lot open up the debate here in Ireland. We of the drudgery and danger out of already know countries that work fewer KEYNES’S PREDICTION was the ‘gig economy’ and the arrival of relatives – are growing exponentially, current workplace tasks while hours tend to have higher levels of revolutionary indeed, at a time when relatively simple new technologies like especially for women. Hours increasing prosperity, including by working hours were considerably longer remote email facilities and mobile productivity, as well as greater amounts But it’s also a fundamental issue of creating many new jobs. than today and when the ‘weekend’ was phones, from which we cannot easily Workers have historically benefited from of wealth per person. equity in societies where many believe not yet a feature of life for the working disconnect during evenings and improvements in technology through But we are determined to secure a fairer the gains from technological change masses in Ireland, Europe and beyond. weekends. reduced working time. share of the benefits of economic and new forms of work organisation are growth and technological advances for One example is the cut in average “The working week His reasoning was straightforward not being fairly shared. all workers in all sectors of the economy. working hours. A century ago this was enough. He correctly said that, by This would also have the benefit of has remained more “We don’t want to inhibit over 60. Now, partly due to more part- producing more with less, we could sharing paid work as technology time working, it’s reduced to just over or less the same over cater for our needs while doing less flexibility, but we do Threat reduces its availability. work. This would mean more leisure 30. This has hugely improved the quality the last few decades.” time with no economic loss. want to see worker In a world where new technologies like of life for workers and their families. artificial intelligence are also Even Keynes could scarcely have protections and a fair threatening at least some of our Fair imagined the productivity gains that “We have the chance to share of the benefits of livelihoods, and where modern work Many employers will, of course, In this context, a reduction in working have been achieved since he made his practices are making more and more fight for a fairer share continue to require non-standard time is entirely feasible even within prediction, or the accelerated speed of new technology.” jobs more and more precarious, people working hours in the 24/7 economy – current levels of technology. The improvement we’ve seen in recent for everyone, including benefits for society, gender and age are asking why all the benefits seem to and this works for many employees too. decades. be earmarked for a small global elite. equality, the economy and the Today – not for the first time in history – a four day week.” We don’t want to inhibit flexibility, but environment could be significant. Yet the length of the working week has working time is emerging as one of the An international conference organised we do want to see worker protections remained more or less the same over central issues in international debates in Dublin by Fórsa last November and a fair share of the benefits of new Kevin’s article was originally published The weekend that many of us take for the last few decades. about the future of work. explored emerging trade union demands technology. in TheJournal.ie to coincide with Fórsa’s granted was also seen as an for a move towards a four-day week as international conference on the future This is partly due to concerns for the unaffordable luxury until around the It’s already happening in a number of standard over the coming years. of working time on 22nd November Control mental and physical health of workers middle of the twentieth century. Several large European economies including 2018 n and growing concerns about work-life It followed a call last summer by the generations on, we have the chance to France and Germany, where the IG If anything, we now have less control balance in an age where caring Trade Union Congress (the UK fight for a fairer share for everyone, Metall union recently negotiated a deal See also: Unions call for four-day week, over our working time with the advent of responsibilities – for younger and older equivalent of ICTU), which has put a including through a four day week. that included the option for 500,000 page 31.

28 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 29 News: The Working Week Unions call for four- day working week Bernard Harbor. Revised working time ensure workers share fruits of technological change

MOST OF the benefits of increased productivity, achieved through workplace technological change, has gone to a small “global elite,” rather than working people. Speaking at Fórsa’s recent international conference on the future of working time in Dublin, deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan (see page 28) said reduced working time was again emerging as one of the central issues in international debates about the future of work. The conference also heard from Kate Bell, head of economic and social affairs at the UK Trade Union Congress (TUC), which has put the demand for a four-day week at the centre of its response to automation and productivity-driving technological change.

“Technology enables including through a four day week,” she working time is entirely feasible with said. current levels of technology and the us to work cheaper and benefits for society, gender equality, the The conference, organised by Fórsa, economy and the environment can be faster, and that should brought together trade unionists and significant. Time must become political working time experts from Ireland, make us all better off.” once again,” he said. Germany and the UK. It came in response to the large number of “Technology enables us to work cheaper motions about working time submitted and faster, and that should make us all to Fórsa’s national conference last May, “Conference speakers better off. In Britain, to take just one when an executive motion committed also highlighted the example, the government estimates the union to work with others to reduce that robots and autonomous technology working time in all sectors of the gender aspects of could boost GDP by around £200 billion economy. a year. But if we raise our productivity, working time, specifically isn’t it worth asking whether we could The conference also heard from Conny for women with be working four days rather than five Schoenhardt of the German while producing the same amount? manufacturing union IG Metall, which childcare and other recently negotiated a deal that included “That’s how workers have historically caring responsibilities.” the option for 500,000 workers in 280 benefited from improvements in companies to reduce their working time. technology. The reduction in average working hours from over 60 a week in Aidan Harper, director of the UK-based Conference speakers also highlighted 1868 – 150 years ago – to just over 30 ‘4-Day Week Campaign’, said the gender aspects of working time, today is one example. The weekend, international studies show no positive specifically for women with childcare which was seen as an unaffordable correlation between working hours and and other caring responsibilities, as well luxury until around the middle of the wealth. “Countries who work fewer as the need for workers to have control twentieth century, is another. Several hours tend to have higher levels of over their working hours in an era of generations on, we have the chance to productivity, as well as greater amounts zero-hours’ contracts and other new fight for a fairer share for everyone, of wealth per person. A reduction in forms of work organisation n

The magazine for Fórsa members 31 Opinion Overworking is easier to do when the borders between working directives, but Miwa, like many But back to the case of the journalist Performance enhancers Japanese who want to get ahead in their Miwo Sado. Outside her own profession, and living grow more indistinct. Turns out the Japanese and the careers, was doing furoshiki, literally I doubt many people think of working in Workplace wellness initiatives don’t Germans have words and customs that make a strong case for a ‘cloaked overtime’, a widespread habit of media as a hard slog. I can tell you from work, according to Pfeffer. Smoking hiding out in the office after hours – twenty years in the industry that the cessation programmes, nap rooms, shorter working week. AINGEALA FLANNERY gathers a useful clandestine working – that everybody most chronic workaholics I’ve yoga mats and juice bars are cosmetic, lexicon for a better quality of life. and nobody knows about. encountered are journalists, self- a mere sticking plaster. “Your tendency declared ‘political animals’ and ‘news to overeat, overdrink, and take drugs Karoshi, I later discovered, is so junkies’, worst among them. They love are affected by your workplace,” he prevalent in Japan they’ve had Aingeala Flannery. what they do, so they do what they says. “When people like their lives, and government helplines since the 1980s love – non-stop. Rather than reduce that includes work life, they will do a to prevent it, and yet, it prevails. It is their workload, new media technology better job of taking care of themselves. clichéd and dangerous to pretend this is has actually heaped more work and When they don’t like their lives, they peculiar to Japan, when they’ve just deadlines on them. The 24-hour news don’t.” Work is a four letter word come up with a name for a scourge that cycle has a rapacious appetite and they blights us all: the glorification of must keep stuffing it with “content”, overwork and the denial of evidence Twitter never sleeps, so they don’t “The fact that your showing how shorter working hours lead either. to greater productivity. great-grandfather laboured 16 hours a Always on “Karoshi (death by day seven days a week Nobody distinguishes between print and and was dead at forty- overwork) is so broadcast journalist anymore. All prevalent in Japan journalists are digital, this means their four, doesn’t make your work appears in print, online, on digital workplace any safer.” they’ve had radio and TV, in podcasts, webcasts and government helplines across social media platforms. Automation has allowed journalists to Most worrying, and undocumented, for since the 1980s to work faster, and therefore their output obvious reasons, is the rise in nootropic prevent it, and yet, (quality notwithstanding) is tenfold what drug use in the workplace to enhance it was a decade ago. The number of performance. For my generation this it prevails.” journalists on payroll is a fraction of meant chain-smoking and drinking what it was a generation ago, and the coffee by the gallon, now it means majority of new entrants work without energy drinks by the crate and secret We’ve all met workaholics who wear contracts, and spend the hours they’re consumption of so called ‘smart drugs’ exhaustion like a badge of honour. If not working in the so-called ‘gig to improve concentration and short- you’re not too busy, you must be lazy, or economy’, chasing payment, which is term memory. These range from an underachiever, or a sponger. In always much lower than what ‘staffers’ synthetic creatine, long used by Japan, most callers to the karoshi are paid for doing the same work. bodybuilders as a performance hotlines, are not the over workers (who Nobody wants to rattle the cage, for enhancer, to amphetamines and are typically in denial). No, the callers fear of being booted out of it. This is the methylphenidate, including Adderall and are their spouses, or their mothers, or kind of ‘always on’ environment that Ritalin, commonly prescribed to treat their children, distraught at the toll Miwo Sado would have entered as a ADHD. Both are addictive and can have workaholism is having on their lives: young journalist. serious life-threatening side effects when misused. I HAVE A penchant for foreign words. I English lacks the dynamic word power Japanese. He’d spent his twenties depression, alcoholism, domestic like the look of them, the sound of them to capture the subtleties of these teaching in Osaka and there was abuse, suicide. bouncing around my brain, the feel of situations. nothing the Japanese didn’t have a word Kvetching (‘whining’, from the Yiddish ‘to “We’ve all met Blessed mealtime them on my tongue – which is not to say for – umami, for example, the fifth sense Anyhow, I learned a couple of zingers squeeze or pinch’) about work is that I use them in every day of taste, we only copped on to having workaholics who wear Pfeffer is right, we need to look at the last week, I was at an under-11’s something we all do to let off steam, but conversation, I don’t want to sound like the year before last, now the hipsters the relief is short-lived. Barely has the workplace not the worker. Work-life football match and there was an exhaustion like a that. own it. Then he told me about another complaint exited your lips when you’ll balance is not about improving your diet incident when the opposition keeper, phenomena the Japanese have nailed say ‘at least I’m not picking spuds’ or ‘it badge of honour.” and your time management skills. Again, Like what? raging after he’d conceded a goal, with a phrase. Karoshi. could be worse – I could be digging a I say look to Germany, where last year roared at a defender that he was a Like a kolyboynick (Yiddish; noun; a well’, as if either was a prospect for a IG Metall, the juggernaut trade union ‘dufus’. ‘That’s YouTube, for you,’ I “It means ‘death by overwork’.” know-it-all). systems analyst with a Masters in I’m writing about media, because it’s the representing metalworkers won the remarked to the man beside me, adding “Wow!” I said. computer science. The fact that your sector I’m qualified to comment on. But I right for 900,000 of its members to When it comes to coining clever phrases that my own son had taken to calling the great-grandfather laboured 16 hours a know this culture is pervasive – work a 28 hour week where employees to describe common phenomena, the kitchen tap the faucet. day seven days a week and was dead at journalists are not a persecuted need to look after children or elderly and Germans are genius at it. How brilliant is forty-four, doesn’t make your workplace minority. Burn-out is more than just a sick relatives. Not only do the Germans kummerspeck kummerband ‘It’s a Scottish word,’ he replied. Furoshiki this: – think any safer. The next time you’re buzzword. In his book Dying for A have productivity levels the rest of the – it literally means belly bacon, and ‘Faucet?’ He was surprised I hadn’t heard it. cemented to your swivel chair, picking Paycheck, Stanford Professor Jeffrey world envies, they have their priorities describes the roll of fat you get from Especially since the most high profile Mahlzeit ‘No, dufus.’ egg salad off your keyboard because Pfeffer estimates that in the US, straight. Let me tell you about , emotional overeating. And, then there’s case was a journalist: 31 year-old Miwa you don’t have time to leave your desk, workplace stress – such as long hours, literally ‘blessed mealtime’. It’s what they schadenfreude, the pain you feel for the Turns out, he was an English teacher, Sado, who worked almost a hundred take a moment to Google ‘symptoms of job insecurity and lack of work-life call lunch hour in the German office tyrant and the Kummerspeck with a particular interest in etymology. hours a week in the month before she overwork’ – insomnia, exhaustion, balance – contributes to at least workplace, everybody takes it, and it is she’s grown after her husband was Oh, says I, aren’t the Germans just died. Her employer was the state anxiety, panic attacks, diabetes, stroke, 120,000 deaths each year and absolutely non-negotiable. Think about caught in flagrante with the captain of brilliant at making up words. They were, broadcaster, an organisation you’d heart failure. It’s all in your head, until it accounts for up to $190 billion in health that the next time you’re eating out of a the ladies’ golf team. Let’s face it, he said, but really you couldn’t beat the expect to uphold working time affects the rest of you. care costs. bag at your desk n

32 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 33 Food The irony, of course, is that we’re forced crispy sweet and refreshing. Keep Eating habits change throughout the year and in the to believe it’s a good idea to switch from yourself hydrated, lots of water, and early cold months it can be a challenge to get back to one binge to another. Your body has that tin of Danish butter biscuits in the Jack and a healthier diet after all the midwinter excess. other ideas. staff kitchen will remain untouched. DANIEL DEVERY advises to ditch the guilt and You go into work the next day, and somebody’s left a tin of unwanted Plan your food Samin shame of New Year detox plans, stock up on veg and Danish butter biscuits in the staff new-year-new-you drink some water, it’ll be grand. kitchen and your Coming home in these long winter green smoothie revolution crashes to a evenings is another challenge entirely. A JACK MONROE is shame-inducing halt. glass of water will keep your hand out of more than just a Daniel Devery. Enough of this madness I say. the last of the chocolates (there’s only food writer. A UK coffee creams and strawberry fondants journalist and “Take your time with left, and nobody likes those anyway) and activist who planning your meals in advance will help preparing a pot like this campaigns on food you make better choices. poverty and hunger Spring greens and and you’ll even convince Of course, stretching your finances relief – her blog, A the hardened carnivores between the December and January pay Girl Called Jack, days is another challenge. documented Monroe’s experience of preparing nutritious food while in the house.” And that’s another good reason to stock surviving on benefits. up on fresh veg. Another staple I enjoy Remember, that mid-winter festival we in the winter months is an all-veg curry. In an age when reliance on food good intentions recently merried our way through was banks for working families has been how our ancestors managed to endure A pot that combines roasted butternut somehow normalised, Monroe is a the cold harsh winters without the aid of squash or pumpkin, cauliflower, spinach, vocal critic of the austerity policies central heating. chick peas, onions, carrots, celery, tinned tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic, that have made food poverty a reality Their harvest plenty provided extra ginger and spices (or some variation in one of the world’s wealthiest calories for warmth. As the days combining a range of these ingredients) countries. brightened in the Spring, they worked can be cooked slowly at the weekend Monroe’s latest book, Cooking on a off the winter excess in the forests, and provide an easy dinnertime option Bootstrap was initially launched last fields and (later) factories. with freshly cooked wholegrain rice, and year as a limited edition on some steamed green veg on the side. Kickstarter. Monroe reached the Shame funding target in just one day, and “Now you’re shoving donated 500 copies to UK food It’s the guilt and shame we need to banks. dispense with. All those five-days-to- spinach, kale, lose-five-pounds plans are a one way blueberries and yoghurt Monroe was named ‘best food ticket to low self-esteem. How can we personality’ at the Observer Food switch from feasting to fasting without into a blender thinking Monthly awards in 2018. making ourselves utterly miserable? “five days of this and Check out @BootstrapCook on Well, let’s start small. Think of a few I’ll be grand.” Twitter for recipes, campaigns and things to have in the store cupboard in more. the early weeks of the year that will provide nourishment and wellbeing. Take your time with preparing a pot like Samin Nosrat this and you’ll even convince the (@CiaoSamin) Oats are a good place to start. I lost the hardened carnivores in the house. Your first came to my habit of making porridge a few years body – and the planet – could use a rest attention when she ago and revived it just as the cold from all that mid-winter animal fat appeared in weather started to bite last year. I consumption. Michael Pollan’s turned to YouTube for advice on how to excellent Netflix make a decent, creamy porridge. series Cooked. Jamie Oliver is worth checking out on Have a brew She now has her own Netflix series, this. Don’t cook oats with milk (the milk based on her best-selling book Salt, Having waded through a small lake of scalds) and stir constantly over a gentle Fat, Acid, Heat. red or white wine during the festivities, heat with a 3:1 ratio of water to oats probably best to just knock it on the While cooking at the famed Chez (and a pinch of salt). In terms of head for a few weeks, or confine it to technique it’s a like a very simple risotto. Panisse restaurant in Berkely, the weekend. Not to sound too po-faced California at the start of her career, PICTURE THE scene. It’s early in the kettle on. Tea will be soothing and give of and newspapers and magazines are I quickly warmed to this revived daily about all this, but herbal teas make a she noticed that, amid the chaos of day before you go back to work after the you time to plan breakfast. (ahem) full of advice on new-year- routine. Light to digest and releasing its soothing and tasty alternative as you the kitchen, these four key festivities of New Year. detoxing. energy slowly, this is a breakfast that put your feet up to rest for the evening. As you take the first two sips you grab principles were applied by her will keep you going until lunch. You wander into the kitchen with vague two of those chocolates to have with All those salty, fatty, sugary, gooey, And there you have it. It’s not a diet or a fellow chefs to make their food taste thoughts of breakfast. You open the the tea. boozy treats became the daily norm Speaking of lunch, a homemade detox plan, just a different way to think better. fridge. There’s a piece of Christmas around the beginning of December. Now sandwich will keep costs down and about how we can ease ourselves into I heartily recommend the Netflix pudding in a container. Well, it’s one way to get rid of them. control your portion sizes. you’re shoving spinach, kale, blueberries the brighter evenings and leave behind show. If that inspires you, the book all the glorious excess of the mid-winter. Beside the sink there’s a handful of And so it goes. The remnants of and yoghurt into a blender thinking “five Hungry at 11am? Believe it or not, needs to go on your 2019 wish list n

Photo: dreamstime.com chocolate sweets in a bowl. You turn the seasonal excess are gradually disposed days of this and I’ll be grand.” apples are at their best this time of year, It’ll be grand n

34 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 35 Travel New Year celebrations have come and gone and for many of those The Maldives Greenland. easing themselves into 2019, it’s time to book their travels in When people think of the Maldives, they anticipation of the summer. While places like Alicante, Tenerife and usually imagine it to be one of those destinations that oozes luxury with Barcelona are staples for Irish holidaymakers, these days there are ocean-based cabins and white sands. more deals for travellers and people are now willing to go further This glorious paradise was once known for being inaccessible for those with afield. UNA-MINH KAVANAGH looks at some of the top summer limited funds. However, the latest holiday destinations for 2019. trends suggest that it’s becoming more Una-Minh Kavanagh. affordable as the years go on. Instead of those fancy resorts, consider AirBnB or small guesthouses. For an authentic experience, at guesthouses you can often eat Maldivian cuisine as a group or with the owner’s family which is Destination summer included in the price. You can still get all the access to those gorgeous white beaches and crystal blue ocean too.

Sri Lanka. Namibia Namibia gets an average of 300 days of sunshine annually. From June to September, however, it’s considered The country has seven indigenous Biokovo Mountain is known for its “winter time” with temperatures of groups that you can visit through picturesque scenery and historical old between 20-24°C; ideal for Irish people sustainable tourism so there’s plenty to town centre. It’s also right on the who can’t handle the heat. appreciate here. Good news too, if Adriatic Sea. you’re Irish and visiting this country for Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) on the Namibia. less than 90 days as a tourist, you don’t need to get a visa. island of Brač in Croatia.

Greenland Sounds strange, doesn’t it? But Greenland in the summer offers a fantastic contrast to what’s usually a snow-covered country most of the year. Though three-quarters of Greenland is covered by the only permanent ice The city is known for its Mediterranean sheet outside Antarctica, when the vegetation and long, warm summers Not only that but due to the country’s which are delightfully cooled by a water melts away what it leaves is an low population density it makes it the breeze known as the Maestral. Nearby abundance of wildlife with flowers and perfect spot to go stargazing. is the second largest city in Croatia, lush wilderness clinging to hillsides. NamibRand Nature Reserve in Namibia Split. You can also plan day trips to is one of the top places for getting the While not the most heavily populated nearby Brač, one of over 1000 Croatian most out of the midnight sky. One of the country (55,000), it still boasts small islands best known for the unique country’s biggest draws is its vibrant red communities that are full of life and peninsular white-pebble beach Zlatni sand dunes which are said to be the deeply connected with nature. Catered Rat (Golden Cape). highest in the world. more to the outdoorsy types, visitors can cycle to Russell Glacier, enjoy the scenery by foot or explore the southern Slovenia Panama part of the island by kayak. TOPPING MANY lists for travellers in Things like safaris will boost the cost of Wind through the bustling souks of Sandwiched between Italy, Hungary and 2019 is Sri Lanka. The island nation just your stay but food, accommodation and Marrakech where a burst of colour Cheaper than its bustling neighbour, There are also many expedition cruises Austria, this small country has a slice of south of India is well known for its transport are generally very cheap. awaits or unwind by the sun-soaked Costa Rica, Panama is nestled in the that tourists can avail of where you can coastline also on the Adriatic Sea. welcoming people, cheap prices and Also, it offers the opportunity to lounge shores of Agadir, while the port city of Caribbean and boasts clear blue waters take in the surrounding icebergs, polar Those who love architecture may breath-taking scenery. Despite its size, on quiet beaches. Depending on your Tangier is enjoying a bit of a revival as a on one side and the swells of the Pacific bears and whales. consider heading to its capital Ljubljana Ocean on the other. the country caters to every sort of funds, you can easily roam on a destination. which sports a mix of Baroque, tourist. Renaissance and Art Nouveau buildings. backpacker’s budget or splash out on If you love the great outdoors and lush A slice of paradise, snorkel your way Love the ocean? Sri Lanka has a long more luxurious experiences. green valleys, the highest mountain through Panama’s reefs, zip line through Croatia Alternatively, take in a contrasting history of scuba diving, snorkelling and range in North Africa, the Atlas rainforests or simply bask in this Croatia these days is an absolute travel experience by visiting karst caves and surfing. Nature lovers will be spoiled for Mountains, are also scattered with culturally diverse country. Famous for hotspot but instead of heading to the the rolling hills and forests. From June The Panama Canal, which connects the choice with its rich biodiversity and Morocco historical ruins, markets and mosques. insanely popular Dubrovnik and Zagreb, to September visitors flock to Lake Bled With kasbahs rising from the desert, Atlantic with the Pacific, its capital is which has the longest swimming season wildlife, and there’s a multitude of roads why not pop over to Makarska instead? that wind through mountains, forests With warm sun all year around and just ancient bazaars as well as the more also cosmopolitan and edgy with of an Alpine lake in Europe. Not only and paddy fields as you’re taking in the four hours in the air from Dublin, modern conveniences, Morocco will shimmering skyscrapers and Art Deco While it’s worth heading to the former that, Slovenia boasts approximately n Photos: dreamstime.com Sri Lankan culture. Morocco offers a feast for the senses. delight new holidaymakers. gems similar to cities like Miami. cities, this port city at the foot of the 2,000 hours of sunshine a year

36 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 37 Culture Vulture

dancefloors of Dublin are recalled as the Continuing their strong track record for innovative Tonie argues that darkness of the 1980s segues into the the major gains of theatre and performance, thisispopbaby returned the progressive sense of seismic change that Tonie campaigns of his witnesses when he returns to Dublin in to the stage of the Project Arts Centre recently lifetime are merely 1991 following a London hiatus. with a powerful and personal show about one of foundations for the remaining Ireland’s great icons of cultural activism, Tonie work to be done. Powderbubble Walsh. NIALL SHANAHAN was there. The passage of the Criminal Law Niall Shanahan. (Sexual Offences) 1993 Bill in June 1993, five years after the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, and 16 years after Senator David Norris took his case to the Irish courts, marks a watershed. Irish people would no longer be treated as criminals, just because of I am who they were. “This is part memoir, part manifesto, as Tonie is also here to tell us why there's still fire in his belly.”

And this is a turning point that coincides Tonie Walsh with Ireland’s development as an outward-looking and confident country. This is also when Tonie’s career as club impresario comes into its own. Collaborating with graphic designer I AM Tonie Walsh tells the story of For decades he has fought tirelessly for Niall Sweeny, Panti creator Rory O'Neill Ireland's seismic social change from the civil rights – for housing rights, women's and Karim Rehmani-White, Ham perspective of someone who lived rights, and queer rights – while the Productions is the collective behind club through it, gloriously, in full technicolour country changed around him. This is nights like Gag and Powderbubble, and (mostly) after dark. part memoir, part manifesto, as Tonie is marking a new era of Dublin nightlife, also here to tell us why there's still fire in As we enter the upstairs theatre space where the wider community is grooving his belly. at Project Arts Centre, the stage is to the intoxicating beat of the surrounded on three sides by the transgressive drums, and where the audience. At the centre of this Hirschfeld seeds of a more inclusive Ireland are arrangement, the floor is adorned with a nurtured. large pink triangle, a symbol with a Tonie takes us on a whistle-stop tour of complicated history but synonymous his family’s own fascinating history, with the gay rights movement. steeped both in bohemianism and Love and care Within this space stands a DJ, our host activism. His mother a classically would eventually become known as personal risk, the brutal truth of which is Walsh returned to Clonmel to care for for the evening. He’s spinning discs on trained dancer, and father a musician, Flikkers, the birthplace of Dublin’s revisited in Tonie’s account of the death his mother in the last years of her life, two turntables as the audience take Tonie conjures them to life for us, hinting dance culture. This was the beating of Aer Rianta worker Declan Flynn. and his intimate portrait of providing their seats. He is the living legend, club at the roots of his own life-long love of heart of Ireland’s gay subculture and care is powerfully moving. The finale of Flynn was attacked and killed in Dublin’s impresario, DJ, activist, historian, music and dance. Tonie brings it lovingly to life. the show is a rallying call to arms, as Fairview Park in in 1982. His murder, ‘Godfather of Gay’ in Ireland and master Dublin is, and always has been, his well as a salute to absent friends. The centre was destroyed by fire on 4th and the fact that those who murdered storyteller Tonie Walsh. playground and his stage since he made November 1987. However, the cultural him walked free, became the catalyst Tonie remains highly charged on a range the move from Clonmel in the late of issues, from housing to sexual health and activist movement that started for the LGBTQ Pride movement in 1970s. Within a few months of his and human rights. He argues that the “‘Transgression’ has been there would forge on. In one of the Ireland, bringing together a broad range discovery of Dublin’s Hirschfeld Centre major gains of the progressive show’s finer metaphors, the twin decks of supporters, including trade unions. both a personal trademark in Temple Bar, he’s on the board of the campaigns of his lifetime are merely Living legend and master upon which Walsh plays classic tracks and a badge of honour, and National Gay Federation (NGF) which As Tonie takes us through the 1980s, foundations for the remaining work to storyteller Tonie Walsh. by Viola Wills, Pet Shop Boys and the word emerges again was founded in 1979. Aretha Franklin (check out the I am the devastation of AIDS is both global be done. By his own admission, Tonie Walsh has The Hirschfeld Centre was Ireland's first Tonie Walsh playlist on Spotify) are and personal. Close friends are conjured His challenge to us all, as we raised our several times over the been making a show of himself his LGBT community centre, named after revealed as the very decks that survived on to the stage. We get to know them glasses, is to get back out there and see whole life. He has thrown Dublin's most course of the evening.” the prominent German doctor and the Hirschfeld fire. and, in this intimate telling, we are that it’s done. seminal parties, and came second place sexologist, Magnus Hirschfeld, and exposed to the raw and brutal grief the in the inaugural Alternative Miss Ireland This sold-out show had a short run in established at a time when a run-down AIDS crisis imposed upon those left Written by Walsh and Philip McMahon, in 1987. ‘Transgression’ has been both Dublin’s Project Arts Centre last Temple Bar was in mortal danger of Pride and joy and grief behind. We are also reminded, in stark and directed by Tom Creed, what a personal trademark and a badge of November, concluding on World AIDS being turned into a bus station. personal terms, that it is with us still. follows is a powerful and engaging trip honour, and the word emerges again The Hirschfeld was the epicentre of Irish Day, 1st December. The company plans through time in Tonie’s charming and several times over the course of the The Hirschfeld included a meeting gay culture at a time when to be openly But happier times are retold throughout. to tour the show in 2019. Subscribe at

Photos: thisispopbaby lyrical company. evening. space, café, cinema and a nightclub that gay was still fraught with significant Nights of blissful play on the thisispopbaby.com for details n

38 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 39 Music

actually makes the rockin’ world go It’s a little known fact that RAYMOND CONNOLLY, before being called to round; it’s Freddie and that’s okay. Just Elton John. the bar in 1978 (“last orders folks!”) was a scholar of the classics. When as Laurel and Hardy shared a double bed in the 1930s without attracting approached to share his thoughts on musical matters for this edition, he outrage, when you’re good you’re good. replied “Reversi Sint enim Deorum est fortis.” We had to look it up: “The Gods of Rock have returned,” says he. He was referring to the return of Queen and Live Aid Elton John in the form of the rock music biopic. He’s not impressed. Raymond Anyone I’ve spoken to about the movie Connolly. talks about the climactic re-creation of Queen’s seminal 1985 Live Aid performance. While it’s probably a huge technical achievement to have recreated it in so much detail, I can’t Bohemian Rocketman help thinking, “lads, it’s on YouTube.” “It wasn’t a corny biopic, “Almost always, the creative just a good old fashioned dedicated minority has big screen concert, and made the world better” - it’s still getting the odd Martin Luther King Jnr. sold-out screening at “Where’s the Judean People’s Dublin’s Sugar Club.” Popular Front? … That’s him I might as well tell you, I was over there” – The Life of Brian. disappointed with Queen’s set list on Live Aid. The set consisted of Bohemian Rhapsody/Radio Ga-Ga/Ay-Oh/Hammer to Fall/Crazy Little Thing Called I’VE ALWAYS been okay with minority Love/We Will Rock You/We are the groups. I never minded the populist Champions. goading of Man United and Liverpool supporters in the pre Wenger-era. They My disappointment remains that there would often ask me if it was true that was no Killer Queen/Seven Seas of the Dublin Arsenal Supporters Club held Rhye/Fat-Bottomed Girls/Another One its meetings in a telephone box on the Bites the Dust and maybe Killer Queen quays. again! Call me a contrarian (everyone else does), but that’s a better set list. Recently, my minority status has been Is the movie industry going to continue 80s. A Talking Heads live concert filmed once again established as I didn’t feel Instead of following the mob down to turning out a succession of biopics to by the late, great Jonathan (Silence of compelled to race out to see Freddie your local Cineplex to see the rest of the preserve the status of the rock god? The Lambs) Demme. Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. If I band settle old scores about who really It wasn’t a corny biopic, just a good old was served a subpoena compelling me wrote the big Queen hits, have a look at “Is the movie industry going fashioned big screen concert, and it’s to go and see this film I would shred it. Queen’s 1975 performance at the to continue turning out a still getting the odd sold-out screening Hammersmith Odeon. I suspect my editor has been swept up succession of biopics to at Dublin’s Sugar Club. in this populist rock god fever. Publicly, It was broadcast by the BBC’s The Old Late-night drinking at that time was I’m sure he claims to be appalled by the Grey Whistle Test and is readily preserve the status of confined to posh wine bars on Leeson St film’s sanitised revisionism and available on YouTube. It has a lot more the rock god? If so, and Northsiders didn’t know where simplification of Mercury’s life story substance than Rami Malek donning a mister producer I have a Leeson St was, or indeed what wine [Editor’s note: Maybe.]. But I bet he still set of prosthetic teeth and declaring was. watches Anton Corbijn’s pretentious “tonight Matthew, I’m going to be movie pitch for you.” low-fi black and white biopic of Joy Freddie Mercury.” Freddie himself once said “when I’m Division’s Ian Curtis, Control (2007), at If so, mister producer, I have a movie dead I want to be remembered as a least once a year [Editor’s note: Yes. Yes pitch for you. It’s called Dave Lee Roth is musician of some worth and substance”. I do.] Reginald Great Craic and opens with mister DLR In Freddie’s honour, I recommend you himself grinning at the camera and take out the albums Sheer Heart Attack This contradiction, naturally, represents Freddie Mercury. Also coming to a cinema near you is saying “I used to jog but the ice cubes and Night at the Opera and listen to a gross double standard. If there’s one Rocketman featuring Sir Elton Hercules kept falling out of my glass” or “I’m a Bring back Leroy Brown/Good constant pursued in this column, it’s the to see a single jar of Marmite purchased They were, for me, always a bit over the John CBE or (to his ma) Reginald family oriented guy, I’ve personally Company/Seaside Rendezvous and need to assimilate double standards or stolen. But, for an old mod boy, I’ve top musically, but even the grimmest of Kenneth Dwight. started four or five this year.” Death on Two Legs. into a singularity of purpose. much admiration for some of Queen’s my music critic anorak associates could There’s always room for the journey antics and innovation. not take away credit for marvellous You can contact me via the editor. In the meantime, I’m off to check when from the sublime and the ridiculous but I innovation and a lot of raw cheek. Roger BBC4 is next re-running ‘The Kinks – “Bohemian Rhapsody is a can of still cannot fathom how one and the Marmite Daltrey serves high praise for Freddie Village Green Preservation Society’ and earworms, one of those musical same artist can produce Rocketman and Mercury: “The man has got a lot of balls. This must be the place maybe follow it up with a trivia quiz on As a band, Queen are like Marmite – love confections that gets into your head Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and then He’s an original.” I can’t argue with that. the subject. it or hate it – as our EU-departing whether you like it or not, and stays then churn out cheese like Candle in the I recall fondly the Friday night neighbours might say. In all my years of there forever” says A.O. Scott of the Nobody else could have gotten away Wind and Nikita. I reckon he got lucky screenings of Stop Making Sense in Is this the real life, or is this just n

Photos: gettyimages.ie grocery shopping in Dublin 11, I’ve yet New York Times, and he’s spot-on. with Mercury’s 1978 paean to what early doors. Dublin’s Ambassador Cinema in the mid- fantasy?

40 Winter-Spring 2019 The magazine for Fórsa members 41 Win win win WIN PRIZE PRIZE €50 CROSSWORD QUIZ

1 2 3 4 5 6 Win €50 by completing the 7 8 WIN €50 crossword and sending your entry, name and Just answer five address to 9 10 Hazel Gavigan, easy questions Fórsa crossword, and you could Fórsa, Nerney’s 11 12 win €50. Court, Dublin, 13 D01 R2C5, by YOU COULD have an extra €50 to Friday 8th spend by answering five easy questions March 2019. 14 15 16 and sending your entry, name and We’ll send €50 address to Hazel Gavigan, Fórsa prize to the first 17 quiz. Fórsa, Nerney’s court, Dublin, correct entry D01 R2C5. We’ll send €50 to the first pulled from the 18 19 completed entry pulled from the hat.* All the answers can be found in the hat. pages of this magazine.

20 21 1. Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody is described by New York Times critic AO Scott as a can of what? a. Worms Crossword composed by Peter Connaughtan . b. Lager c. Beans ACROSS DOWN d. Earworms 7. Bahamian capital and D2 1. Daniel Day Lewis character street (6) found in Croke Park (7) 2. Fórsa president Ann McGee hails 8. Chairman of the PLO, he died 2. Numeric book identifier, from: in 2004 (6) in short (1,1,1,1) a. Ferbane, Offaly b. Inchicore, Dublin 9. The largest organ of the 3. Pi – a root vegetable (6) c. Dromahair, Leitrim human body (4) 4. Former South Korean d. Tyrrellspass, Westmeath 10. Rugby stadium in Cape moto manufacturer (6) Town (8) 5. In japan, ritual disembowelment, 3. What’s the UK food writer and 11. A fear of water, also a also known as Seppuku (8) activist Monroe’s first name? symptom of rabies (11) 6. One of only three players to a. Marilyn 14. I shrank a sad family (11) retain the U.S. Masters (5) b. Matt 18. Yuletide comedy, starring 12. Gershwin wrote this in blue (8) c. Jack Billy Bob Thornton (3,5) 13. The Patella (7) d. Jill 19. Claude founded a 15. How tight is the fabric renowned champagne measurement? (6) 4. Fórsa was formed on which date house in 1743 (4) 16. In West Side Story, the rivals in 2018? a. 1st January 20. Dish of pork sausages, of the Jets (6) b. 2nd January rashers, spuds and 17. Fair City character played by c. 3rd January onions (6) Aisling O’Neill (5) d. 4th January 21. U.S. state, capital 19. These Clouds won the 2015 Topeka (6) Grand National (4) 5. Which Kevin is Fórsa’s deputy general secretary? a. Bacon ISSUE 4 (AUTUMN-WINTER) WINNERS: b. Foley CROSSWORD: Thomas Coll, Donegal. QUIZ: Gemma Harris, Co. Dublin. c. Callinan SURVEY: Aisling McGovern, Dublin 2. d. Kline

The small print* ISSUE 4 (AUTUMN-WINTER) CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS: You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. ACROSS: 7. Sabena 8. Enamel 9. Opal 10. Cardigan 11. Leif Erikson 14. Simona Halep 18. Moussaka Only one entry per person (multiple entries 19. Gift 20. Alkali 21. Allure DOWN 1. Harpies 2. Hell 3. Cancer 4. Henrik 5. Manitoba 6. Regan will not be considered). Entries must reach 12. Friesian 13. Wexford 15. Oxalic 16. Avatar 17. Fools 19. Gold us by Friday 8th March 2019. The editor’s decision is final. That’s it!

The magazine for Fórsa members 43 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 winter-spring Fórsa 2019 issue of ? 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 winter-spring 2019 issue of Fórsa? 7. Any other comments?______Excellent o ______Good o ______Okay o ______Bad o ______Awful o

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44 Winter-Spring 2019