The magazine for Issue No2 Fórsa members Spring-Summer 2018 In this issue
Fórsa launch Conference season Gig economy PeoplePoint Who’s who in Fórsa The future of waste management Lisa Walsh’s ‘Love in the Wild’ HSCP conference Plus music, food, travel, movies, competitons and more
All together now
“It’s very refreshing to meet new people and seeing where our ideas can take us. Fórsa committees are starting to meet, and there’s a tangible energy and enthusiasm to them.”
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Reflecting on our first Spring-Summer 2018 steps into the future Headline Sub-head Fórsa’s three presidents, PAT FALLON, ANN McGEE and NIALL McGUIRK reflect on the road ahead following the official launch of the union at Dublin’s
Fórsa is produced by Fórsa trade Mansion House on Thursday 15th March. union's Communications Unit and is edited by Niall Shanahan. THE LAUNCH event gave us all a moment to reflect on the fact that, together, we’ve Front cover: Sandra Owens, spe- cial needs assistant – South Dublin built a union of considerable size and strength within the Irish civil and public branch, Paul McKeon, Justice service. The launch had an energy that revealed the potential in the organisation. branch and Hannah Duffy Revenue branch at the Fórsa launch. It was also the first opportunity for branch activists and members to meet and greet Photo: Picture-It photography. ahead of a busy conference season in April and May, where we’ll focus on creating a Contact Fórsa at: sound policy footing for this new organisation. Nerney's Court, Dublin 01 R2C5. Phone: 01-817-1500. It’s very refreshing to meet new people and seeing where our ideas can take us. www.forsa.ie Fórsa committees are starting to meet, and there’s a tangible energy and enthusiasm to them. Designed by: Our Youth committee, Diversity/Equality/Disability and Equivalent Grades N. O'Brien Design & Print committees have all had good initial engagements, while branch campaigns are Management Ltd. Phone: 01-864-1920 being greeted with enthusiasm from new colleagues. Email: [email protected] These early engagements reveal Fórsa’s potential to be a leading light within the Printed by Boylan Print Group. trade union movement, as well as in broader Irish society, underpinned by the Advertising sales: formidable strength we share as an organisation of 80,000 members. Niki O’Brien. Phone: 01-864-1920. These are strong foundations on which to continue building. Let's all do our best to Unless otherwise stated, the get another colleague to join Fórsa and increase these numbers further. Let’s also views contained in this magazine keep listening to each other, making sure we remain inclusive and sensitive to our do not necessarily reflect the members’ needs. policy of Fórsa trade union.
This magazine is printed on The world we’re facing into shows great promise, but we can’t ignore the challenges environmentally friendly paper, we face. The Irish economy continues to grow, but we know that ‘recovery’ is a certified by the European Eco hollow word unless it can be shared. External threats have the potential to undo the Label. This magazine is 100% progress of recent years. For these reasons, our new, shared path is a timely one. recyclable.
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 Fórsa presidents Pat Fallon, Ann McGee, Niall McGuirk dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles March 2018 that appear in our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie See photos from the launch event on pages 24 to 27.
All suppliers to this magazine recognise ICTU-affiliated trade unions. The magazine for Fórsa members 1 In this issue Editorial
Our readership is growing and your ALL TOGETHER NOW feedback has been wonderful. NIALL Welcome and SHANAHAN sets out Spring-Summer 2018 UNION NEWS...... 4 Our most read stories from the divisional news bulletins his stall for the latest edition of your favourite thank you Gig economy NEW WAYS OF WORKING ...... 8 trade union magazine. Bernard Harbor look at the new, and the not so new, features of the gig economy Niall Shanahan.
WELCOME TO the latest edition of you, and let’s keep it up. Galway, the problems of PeoplePoint CONFERENCE SEASON ...... 11 Fórsa magazine. First of all, on behalf of (hint; it’s not the people that are the In future editions we plan to cover more As Fórsa conference season gets underway, we’re welcoming a very special guest the contributors and editorial team I’d on the changing nature of work. In this problem) and the extraordinary EPIC like to say a very sincere thank you to edition Bernard Harbor and Lisa Wilson care day event. WHO’S WHO...... 12 those of you who’ve taken the time to get in touch and share your thoughts lift the lid on precarious work, and We have photos from the Fórsa launch Introducing the faces of our divisional executives 8 about the publication. what’s new (and not so new) about the event and we’ve included photos of our gig economy. divisional executives to give you a THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLPOINT ...... 14 Your comments have been overwhelmingly positive, with a good We also had a chat with Fórsa member better sense of who’s who in Fórsa. PeoplePoint Civil servants are fed up with it, and they understand HR staff aren’t to blame Lisa Walsh, whose play Love In The Wild many of you telling us how the magazine When you crave something less work- completed a sell-out run at the Viking has played a role in promoting the new oriented, check out Una-Minh WOMEN AND PRECARIOUS WORK ...... 17 union in your workplace. That’s Theatre in Clontarf with rave reviews back in March. I got a chance to find out Kavanagh’s guide to Vietnam, as well as Lisa Wilson of the Nevin Economic Reearch Institute points the way forward everything we’d hoped for and very welcome news indeed. more about Lisa’s writing and how it was our music, movie and food pages, where inspired by her childhood and her Daniel Devery looks at our relationship ONE GALWAY LAUNCHES...... 18 We’ve also noticed there’s a legion of experience as a social worker. with TV cooks. crossword fanatics within our newly The City of the Tribes played host to a gathering of union and community activists unified ranks. Our postbox hasn’t been We’re also taking a look at the future of Hope you enjoy this edition, keep your 14 this busy in quite some time, so thank waste management, the launch of One comments coming n THE FUTURE OF WASTE...... 22 One Galway Privatisation was a rubbish idea, it’s time to re-municipalise waste collection HSCP CONFERENCE REPORT ...... 24 Words and pictures from Fórsa’s high level conference in February
FÓRSA LAUNCH NIGHT...... 26 A gallery of images from our launch night in Dublin’s Mansion House in March
18 LOVE IN THE WILD ...... 30 Social worker, playwright and Fórsa member Lisa Walsh on her cricially acclaimed play Fórsa launch EPIC CARE DAY ...... 32 Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird on unique event to challenge the stigma attached to young people in care
FOOD...... 34 Daneil Devery on the origins and development of our love of TV cooks 26 LAND OF THE LOTUS FLOWER...... 36 Una-Minh Kavanagh prepares you for Vietnam Love in the Wild PLAYING AGAINST TYPE ...... 38 Morgan O’Brien on the delights of actors breaking rank
TWO-HIT WONDERS OF THE WORLD ...... 40 Raymond Connolly plays tribute to the overlooked cousin of the one-hit wonder
30 WIN WIN WIN...... 43 Crosswords, competitions and prize survey
2 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 3 News
You can read all the most up-to-date Fórsa news at forsa.ie. You can also subscribe to our news bulletin service, which delivers all the latest news to your inbox every Quick fix sought fortnight. If you don’t already receive the bulletin, contact [email protected] to register for your subscription, which is free to all Fórsa members. In these news pages, we include the most read stories from the Fórsa news bulletin. for new entrants Employers flouting pension law FÓRSA WANTS pay scales shortened for new talks under a clause in the Cody acknowledged that the different as quickly as possible for staff who Public Service Stability Agreement length of pay scales across the public FÓRSA HAS slammed public service Failure to provide a statement is joined the public service after January (PSSA), which allows for an service was a complicating factor, but employers for ignoring their legal grounds for a complaint to the pensions 2011. The union has said a new talks “examination” of the new entrants’ pay said the talks process was capable of obligation to keep staff informed about ombudsman. process, agreed before Saint Patrick’s issue. This followed union dealing with this. “We need to avoid a how much their pension savings are weekend, must lead to equal treatment representations to Government. ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach that delivers worth. Fórsa official Billy Hannigan said the for all civil servants by removing two fairness for some but not for all. The aim union has complained to DPER in the The law that established the new ‘single points from new entrant pay scales. Fórsa senior general secretary Shay of this process must be to find a strongest terms. “It’s extraordinary that public service pension scheme,’ which Cody said it was an issue of fairness solution that works for everyone,” he the provisions of the scheme, which is Under discriminatory measures covers public servants employed since and equality. “The main outstanding said. announced by the then-Government in 2011, obliges employers to give now in its sixth year of operation, are issue is the existence of two additional simply being ignored by public service December 2010, it currently takes so- A Department of Public Expenditure scheme members annual benefit scale points for staff employed since and Reform (DPER) report published on employers. We have demanded an early called ‘new entrants’ two years longer statements within six months of the end 2011. That’s why we want to see the 16th March found that some 60,000 meeting with DPER to discuss the than their colleagues to reach the top of of the tax year. length of these scales reduced by two ‘new entrants’ had been adversely issue,” he said. their pay scales. But Fórsa has told the Department of points as quickly as possible, in order to affected by the unilateral cuts imposed Public Service and Reform (DPER) that Meanwhile, the union has asked DPER The ICTU Public Services Committee, improve new entrants’ incomes and in 2011, and that it would cost an it’s simply being ignored. to review the value of public service which represents almost all unions in equalise the time it takes civil servants estimated €200 million a year to the sector, secured agreement in March to reach the top of pay scales,” he said. resolve the problem. Staff are meant to receive details of subsistence payments, taking account their pension payments and the current of price rises since the current rates value of their pension pot, including any were agreed. The rates are set using an contributions that have been carried agreed formula, which takes account of The union said the social welfare over from previous employments. Billy Hannigan. hotel accommodation and food prices. department had directed people in need CWOs want to the Society of St Vincent de Paul during the recent weather crisis. And it said CWOs discretion had been eroded services they sell,” he said. since the service had been subsumed by Harbor also rejected the attack on the emergency the Department of Social Welfare in Fórsa rejects so-called public-private pay gap. “The 2011. CSO is crystal clear that its figures do Fórsa official Eugene Quinn said elderly not attempt to compare the pay of citizens and other vulnerable people people doing the same or similar jobs in support clarity needed firm reassurance that they pay cut call the public and private sectors. It also would not risk running up unpayable says that recent improvements in public debt if they needed additional heating service pay are a result of partial FÓRSA HAS called on the Government during cold snaps. restoration of recession-era pay cuts. to give clear advice to older people and “Rather than bland assurances, we need other vulnerable groups about the FÓRSA HIT back at a business lobby’s across the economy since the recession “The CSO figures do not take account of a budget supplement to ensure that financial supports they can expect from the actual jobs that people do, their CWOs have extra funds to allocate in call for the reintroduction of deep public hit in 2009. community welfare services during service pay cuts last week, after the qualifications, age, experience, trade emergency needs payments. In the The CSO found that average weekly extreme bad weather. Irish Small and Medium Enterprises union membership, or other factors that longer term, we must return to a (ISME) association called for the gap earnings increased by 2.5% in 2017. account for differences in earnings,” he Fórsa said confused official statements position where CWOs have the between average pay in the public and Fórsa head of communications Bernard added. An earlier CSO report, which during the recent snow storms had discretion to make payments when they private sectors to be reduced to 10% Harbor said this was welcome after took these determinants into account fallen short of what’s needed to ensure see an objective need,” he said. almost a decade of pay stagnation and that vulnerable people keep warm in the by 2025. found that the public sector pay gap Mr Quinn said the union had frequently cuts in the public, private, semi-state face of unseasonable weather. The ranged from -0.36% to +5.05% in voiced concerns about inadequate The union questioned the entire basis and voluntary sectors. union, which represents community 2014, depending on the methodology funding for community welfare services. of ISME’s position, and said it was welfare officers (CWOs), also demanded used and the way the so-called pension “Local clinics have been closed and effectively a call for deeper public “After almost a decade of pay more investment in community welfare service had unlimited funds to grant levy was treated. vulnerable customers must now mail or service pay cuts than those imposed stagnation, Fórsa welcomes the fact budgets and increased discretion for ‘exceptional needs payments.’ Rather, phone in their applications, or travel during the economic crisis. The that pay is improving in all sectors of the The most recent CSO report showed CWOs when vulnerable people seek the number of exceptional needs long distances to centralised facilities, employers’ group issued its call economy, albeit at a modest pace. ISME that average earnings in finance, the their help. payments has fallen by 93% between which are mainly designed for following the Central Statistics Office’s should welcome this too, as its highest-paid sector, were almost three December 2011 and February 2016. The union criticised Taoiseach Leo employment supports. The discretion publication of its latest pay survey, members benefit when we have a little times higher than the lowest-paid Some 226,200 payments were made in Varadkar for suggesting that the December 2011, compared to just available to CWOs has been watered which recorded the biggest jump in pay more to spend on the products and accommodation and food sector. budget-stretched community welfare 14,631 in February 2016. down considerably,” he said. 4 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 5 News Public control will improve waste services
THE RE-MUNICIPALISATION of service at the centre of refuse and privatised refuse and waste services waste services in Dublin, and geared could reduce costs for households and towards a circular economy, is of much businesses, while improving pay and higher value to society than the current working conditions for staff, according privatised model. That is in terms of to a new study published by the sustainability and the environment, European Federation of Public Service reducing costs and improving efficiency, Unions (EPSU). ensuring the best possible conditions for workers and the best possible The head of Fórsa’s two local authority service for customers.” divisions, Peter Nolan, says there are lessons for Dublin as well as other areas The report says the circular economy in the report’s findings. He said: “The holds out the prospect of better pay and most significant takeaway from the working conditions in the industry if it Colleagues report is that re-municipalisation can be integrates informal workers into the done, both in Dublin and elsewhere. As public waste sector, where conditions the report demonstrates, the trend of are significantly better than in private shocked at waste management services returning companies. Although more research is to the public sector is becoming more needed, Weghmann says, initial reports common on the continent and offers point to poor conditions and low pay in Dympna’s numerous benefits.” the sector. Peter Nolan. The study, Waste management in death Europe: Good jobs in the circular the city, and a Fórsa campaign on the economy, says there is no evidence to issue is now underway. The campaign support the view that privatised waste aims to solve the issue of private waste Twilight management operations are better than collection companies refusing to collect MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS and staff of publically-provided services. “bagged and tagged” rubbish. Calls for payments Fórsa’s Local Government Division Conversely, the report suggests the council waste crews to lift this waste were shocked and saddened to hear opposite to be true. have also increased drastically in recent under of the sudden death of Dympna Reilly Its author, Vera Weghmann of the months, despite the private waste of the union’s Dun Laoghaire- London-based Public Services collection companies being contracted Rathdown branch at the beginning of International Research Group, identifies to lift the waste. discussion March. European examples of ‘re- The EPSU report also addresses the municipalisation,’ where privatised THE FIRST meeting of a group set up A long-time union activist, Dympna transition towards a circular economy. waste and refuse services have been to deal with Fórsa’s claim for the was one of the lead negotiators on Its author, Vera Weghmann says a brought back into public control restoration of ‘twilight payments’ met Fórsa’s library negotiating group. She general move towards a ‘circular because of high costs or service in mid-March. The payment – which was also a member of the union’s economy,’ which places a high value on shortcomings. But she warns that the saw staff paid at ‘time and one-sixth’ Professional Librarians Vocational the re-use and recycling of waste Group Committee. trend towards privatisation remains for working between six and eight materials, is heralding change in the strong in other places. o’clock in the evening – was Fórsa head of division Peter Nolan waste sector. The most notable change discontinued in 2011. said union and workplace colleagues Waste management services in Dublin is the shift towards recycling and away in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown council were privatised in early 2012. Prior to from landfill. It was subsequently restored in some and Cabinteely library were this the city had been seen as a bastion areas of nursing, but not for clerical As well as being more environmentally devastated by the news. because it was the last European staff of social care workers. The capital with a fully municipalised public sustainable, it’s estimated that this recently-established process is “Dympna was a fine trade unionist waste management service. Fórsa (then trend will create a million new jobs by examining where evening work and a true professional who made a IMPACT) campaigned against the 2030, because recycling is more patterns have become more huge contribution to the union’s privatisation of services in the city. labour-intensive than the old method of demanding in the years following the campaign for safe, high-quality An IMPACT position paper from disposal. The report suggests that abolition of the payments. library services available to all. Her September 2011 criticised the move further advancements to the circular Fórsa tabled the issue at last year’s participation in Fórsa’s negotiating and warned of the likelihood of economy have the potential to treble pay talks, which led to the Public team helped deliver positive increased fly tipping in the city as being that figure to three million. Dympna Reilly graduated Service Stability Agreement (PSSA). outcomes for her immediate of particular concern. from IMPACT trade union's colleagues, and for library users and Peter Nolan, who represented Fórsa at a The PSSA, which was overwhelmingly member activist training n Fly tipping in Dublin has become recent EPSU seminar that discussed backed by Fórsa members, included a series in April 2016. staff across the country,” he said progressively worse in recent years the research findings, said: “A commitment to a process to deal with particularly in areas of the north side of municipalised waste management the union’s claim.
6 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 7 New ways of working When the man with Bernard Harbor.
BERNARD HARBOR could have coined a van is the phrase ‘gig economy’ 30 years ago. But he didn’t. his very
WE USED to joke that my younger brother Kevin was from the Dutch side of the family. We were Harbors and he own man was a Van Driver. Geddit? Anyway, he drove a van for a living and one day, much to our surprise, Kevin announced that he was now self- employed. ‘platforms’ not employers, I started to Cue teams of legal, trade union and In our late-1980s working class circle, hear the term ‘gig economy.’ I came to academic experts wrestling with the this seemingly entrepreneurial break realise that my unwitting little brother distinction between employed and from the world of employment was as was among its pioneers but, no matter contractor status, and the thorny unusual as it was unexpected. how cool it might sound now, I was right challenge of maintaining employees’ about that unsettling feeling. rights in situations where – how to put Except it wasn’t what it seemed. it? – they just ain’t employees. What had happened was this. One One of those experts, Jeremias Prassl of morning, Kevin’s boss told him he was “A recent Irish report Magdalen College Oxford, spoke at the now self-employed. He could rent the prestigious Industrial Relations News van and would do his deliveries as found that precarious conference in Dublin earlier this year. He before. Only now he was a contractor, reckons substantive aspects of laws not an employee. And he’d have to sort ‘gig economy’ working governing rights at work need to be out his own tax and insurance. arrangements are now reviewed to protect workers in the new They privatised the buses around the dispensation. same time. That’s another story but, like spreading, including into Confronted with zero-hour Kevin’s newfound small businessman arrangements, bogus self-employment, status, back then it seemed as the seemingly safe and other new forms of work inexplicable as it was unsettling. neighbourhoods of public organisation, Professor Prassl said Sure enough, a short while later the unions must address the limits of laws ‘contracts’ from (though not the van administration, health on unfair dismissal, minimum wages, repayments to) Kevin’s former boss and qualifying periods for job thinned out. Then they disappeared. No and education.” protection. redeployment. No holiday pay. No But he says reform of social welfare and redundancy. No responsibilities.
Countless workers who would simply taxation policy is as, if not more, Photo: dreamstime.com have been employees in previous eras important. That’s because the so-called Cool platforms now work as ‘contractors’ without the gig economy is luring people away from protections against sub-minimum wage standard employment relationships by Almost three decades later, as the and unfair dismissal – or benefits like offering them a “no income tax” Ubers, Deliveroos, Amazons and others paid holidays and sick leave – that the proposition. rushed to explain that they were rest of us take for granted. continued on page 10 ‰
8 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 9 New ways of working Conference season
Less attractive Insecure and Uncertain: Precarious Work in the Republic of Ireland and Stephen Holst of legal firm McCann Northern Ireland, revealed that 8% of Fitzgerald agrees that tax and PRSI the Republic’s workforce – or over reforms “could be the biggest driver of 158,000 people – see significant change” in this area. He says at least variations in their weekly or monthly €60 million a year is lost to the Irish working hours. Another 7% are in Michael D exchequer through the false temporary employment, often simply classification of work as self- because they can’t find permanent employment, which allows companies to work. to address avoid paying employers’ PRSI. The union study found that female and young workers are most likely to be stuck in precarious or insecure jobs. Fórsa And, while uncertain work is most common in distribution, hotels, catering, retail and construction, it’s spreading to conference other areas including the public service.
Alarming PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins will The alarming growth in precarious work address the opening session of since 2008 has prompted ICTU to urge Fórsa’s first-ever national delegate the Government to legislate to address conference, which takes place in the problem. It wants new laws to Killarney in May. The conference will guarantee the right to a minimum see hundreds of delegates, number of working hours, and to provide representing all the union’s branches, workers with a written statement of set policy and elect Fórsa officers for their terms and conditions from day one the first time. of their employment. This is one of three Fórsa delegate Meanwhile, Labour’s Ged Nash is to conferences set to take place in the speak at Fórsa’s Services and April-May period. Enterprises divisional conference about Legislation passed in 2017 allowed The Services and Enterprises freelance journalists and other freelance his proposed legislation aimed at Division conference takes place in strengthening protections for Deliveroo, along with Uber, are the workers to organise for collective poster companies for the cool new Galway on 12th-13th April. Up to precarious workers. His proposals go bargaining. The legislation also defines platforms of the gig economy. But 150 delegates are expected, ‘bogus self-employment’ in law for the further than new laws envisaged by the workers ultimately pay the cost. representing workers in commercial first time. Government, which would ban zero hour and non-commercial semi-state contracts in all situations except organisations and private companies. Holst said these arrangements – emergency cover, short-term relief Meanwhile, Professor Prassl says including the prospect of lower income work, or genuine casual work. unions must avoid “falling into a crazy Next, some 650 delegates will tax bills – can look attractive to workers Luddite trap,” and should instead take attend Fórsa’s Civil Service Division at first. But they are less appealing on the negative aspects of the changing conference, which is set for Killarney when you need to fall back on PRSI- economy while embracing technology on 19th and 20th April. Then the full related benefits like maternity leave, and innovation. “Over the centuries, national conference, with up to a pensions and social security. technology has never destroyed the net thousand delegates, takes place on amount of work, but it has made it 16th-18th May. Prassl said there was evidence that the better, safer, and more fun,” he says. gig economy was causing huge tax The two divisional conferences are losses in other jurisdictions too. And he Unions also face the practical challenge taking place this year on an added that moving workers out of the of developing services that gig workers exceptional basis. That’s because PAYE system meant they carried all the actually want. Things like advice on they are the divisions directly burden of tax compliance. contracts and intelligence about good impacted by the recent and bad ‘gig’ employers are not standard amalgamation, and they need to elect Yet this issue could be relatively easy to trade union fare, but they would be a new divisional executive committees. address because all the data about who real boost to the Kevins of today. All six Fórsa divisions will hold works, who for, and for how much, conference events in 2019. exists on the platforms – like Uber and On the plus side, Prassl makes the Deliveroo – that typify the gig economy. rather obvious point that reaching and Separately Fórsa’s Education communicating with gig workers Division will host a conference in Should those of us in steady Jeremias Prassl, Magdalen College Oxford. shouldn’t be that difficult, After all, they Dublin on 5th April. This is not a employment be concerned? A recent are – they have to be – among the most formal policy-setting conference, but report from the Irish Congress of Trade The Congress report says the coalition’s IT and social media literate people on the division holds an event during Unions (ICTU) found that precarious ‘gig approach is insufficient against the the planet. each year’s education ‘conference economy’ working arrangements were background of a dramatic 34% rise in season’ to explore policy and service now spreading, including into the part-time work and self-employment, In any case, unions will have to up their issues n seemingly safe neighbourhoods of which it says is “indicative of significant game to stay relevant if, as seems likely, public administration, health and growth in bogus or false self- the sector keeps growing at its current education. employment.” rate n
10 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 11 Conference season Fórsa people
As we head into a busy conference season, let us introduce you to the men and women who make up Fórsa’s divisional executives. Fórsa members working on your behalf in our new union.
Civil service divisional executive Local Government divisional executive Front seated (l-r): Gearoid O’Cribin, Tayna O’Neill, Ronon Bolger, Kieran Sheehan, Tom Geraghty – joint general secretary, Niall McGuirk, Front (l-r): Julie Flood, Sean Reid – cathaoirleach, Linda Casey, Peter Nolan – Fórsa head of division. Back (l-r): Tom Browne, Ann McGee, Alan Hanlon, Tony Conlon. Second (l-r): Jack O’Connor, Tom Madden, Adam Egan, Denis Ryan, Derek Mullen – head of division, Gerry O’Quigley – leas cathaoirleach, Ann Marie Maher, Ray Kennedy, Pat Considine, Michael Whyms, Catherine White, Susan Gherin, Debbie Brennan, Jean Taylor, Willie Sargent, Helen Linehan, Sheila Smith, Audrey Lyons, Brian Leonard, Jim McCarthy, Kathleen McGee, Vincent Savage, Padraig McGivney, Seamus Smith. Michele McCaffrey, Kevin Garry, Dermot McAuley, Don Deane, Kevin Melinn, Sean Carabini, Betty Tyrrell, Eugene Quinn, Kevin Gaughran. Third (l-r): Andy Walsh, Daniel Copperthwaite, Sue Kelly, Marian Cody, Paul McSweeny, Des Fagan, Brendan Lawless, Melissa Brennan, Eugene Dunne, Michael Crowe, Sean Lowde, Rhona McEleney, Stephanie Kelly, Jim Guirey, Cormack Donoghue, Willie Duggan, Andy Pike - head of division, Liam McLoughlin, Terry Murphy. Forth (l-r): John T O’Flanagan, Benny Conaty.
Health and Welfare divisional executive Front (l-r):Don Gibney, Maura Cahalan, chair, Martin Walsh, vice-chair, Eamonn Donnelly, Fórsa Services & Enterprises divisional executive head of division. Front (l-r): Pierse Dillon, Helen Sheridan, Evan Cullen, Eugene Gargan, Gillian White, Ian Patel, Eugene Quinn. Back (l-r): Brenda Mulhall, Middle (l-r): Kevin Gaughran, Willie Doyle, Tony Dawson, Jimmy O’Loughlin, Steve Pilgram, Paul McSweeny, Geraldine Hickey, Brian Gorman, Patricia Mellsop, Angela Kirk – Fórsa head of division, Grace Conlon, Carmel Keogh, David Orford, Philip Lambert. Back (l-r): Carol Foster, Terry Kelleher, Corinne Phelan, Carmel Devine, Brendan Hanlon, Denis Keane, Ashley Connolly, Cormac Craven, Kevin O’Donoghue. Michelle Spearman Geraghty, Tony Mitchell, Edward Harte, James Fletcher, Jarlath O’Connor.
Education divisional executive Front (l-r): Kathleen O’Doherty, Gina O’Brien (chair), Noreen O’Mahony (vice-chair), Michael Smyth. Back (l-r): Kevin Callinan, Fórsa deputy general secretary, Antoinette Mullen, Siobhan O’Callaghan, Brenda Halley, Clare Keaveney, Elaine Elliott, Municipal employees divisional executive 2018 Joan Regan, Eilise McGarrell, Front (l-r): Michael Ross, Thomas Murtagh, Dessie Robinson, David Greene. Middle row (l-r): Lorcan Connolly, Mark Crosbie, Séan Carabini. Mick McLoughlin, Una Faulkner, Eddie Smith, James Cole, John Gaynor, Joe Malone. Back row (l-r): Tony Martin, Michael Kieran, Declan O’Brien, Michael Gibson, Vincent Brunton, Mark Wynne, John Meehan. 12 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 13 PeoplePoint pain to identify a single aspect of PeoplePoint activity that has not given rise to problems,” he said.
Impossible position
Tom and other Fórsa representatives are quick to say this is not the fault of the staff who work in the shared services office. This sentiment is also reflected in a large number of motions to the union’s forthcoming civil service conference, many of which acknowledge the impossible position PeoplePoint staff are in – trying to work a system that simply isn’t working. That PeoplePoint works at all is down to the dedication of the civil servants employed there. They’ve had an extraordinarily difficult time in recent years as they try to make a poorly designed system function.
“That it works at all is down to the dedication of the staff, who’ve had an extraordinarily difficult time trying to make a poorly designed system function.”
The overpayment described above was just one of the stories that emerged from a Fórsa survey of civil servants who’d fallen foul of the system, which was meant to herald a new era of HR efficiency when it was introduced Blame the in 2013. When the union asked its civil service members about their experiences earlier this year, over 1,100 responded. The reaction far exceeded expectations and highlighted the sheer scale of the serious issues now endemic with the system. system And the range of issues cited bears out Tom’s view that problems have emerged with pretty-much every aspect of HR.
Over and underpaid
Just under 83% said they’d experienced not the staff issues with PeoplePoint. Over 82% indicated that they’d experienced a pay-related issue, with overpayments, underpayments, sick- related pay, issues surrounding increments, promotion-related pay, and pension problems featuring prominently. Worryingly, 53% of participants recorded HERE’S A story about an overpaid civil Ordinary workers like this got no mention – problematic issue of underpayments was Civil servants are fed servant that you won’t have seen in the pay-related repercussions as a result of the let alone sympathy – earlier this year when simply not raised at the committee. issues experienced. newspapers. the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee up with PeoplePoint. “The problem of overpayments has reached A Fórsa member on long-term sick leave quizzed senior management from the Despite the media and political focus, only National Shared Services Office, which runs epidemic proportions under PeoplePoint. It 22% of those surveyed experienced But they understand recently told us she’d been overpaid for has caused great suffering to many civil several months. She was unaware of this PeoplePoint. overpayments, though that’s not to say this HR staff aren’t to servants, often in vulnerable financial isn’t a serious concern which, as we’ve seen, until she got a letter from PeoplePoint, the The papers happily printed stories of circumstances, who have to repay money centralised civil service human resources has the potential to have huge financial blame. SEÁN overpayments, without acknowledging the they do not have. repercussions. service, telling her she’d have to repay the real victims, who can be put in dire financial CARABINI and ROÍSÍN sizeable debt that had accrued. straits when these mistakes occur. “But the extensive underpayments and Problems with sick leave were also unprecedented delays in paying people their widespread, with 20% of participants That’s put her under considerable personal And, as Fórsa joint general secretary Tom correct salary once they are appointed or Roísín McKane Seán Carabini. McKANE report. and financial strain, just at a time when she Geraghty recently pointed out, the equally promoted is equally problematic. It’s difficult continued on page 16 ‰ needs it least. 14 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 15 PeoplePoint pain New ways of working
between PeoplePoint and line departments As discussion and debate continue on the rise of precarious work, and “Over two-thirds of were unrealistic and lacked penalties. the limited opportunities of the 'gig economy', we may have failed to On top of that, the system is largely unable to respondents complained of recognise the attendance patterns of shift notice that insecure, low paid, poor quality work are already well workers and others with atypical working delays. Many said that arrangements. As a result, these employees established problems for one group of workers. LISA WILSON of the have effectively had no HR service in recent Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) writes about how we must disputes took anywhere years. widen our focus on the definition of precarious employment and adopt from three weeks to two Then, as difficulties emerged, there was no years to reach a resolution. ‘ownership’ of the problem. It’s often difficult Lisa Wilson PhD. the long proposed solutions of the women's movement. to tell if responsibility for solving a problem Almost a third of cases rests with the individual, their internal HR, surveyed are still ongoing.” shared services, or another stakeholder. Almost by definition, it’s rarely a routine Towards ‘better jobs’ for all: matter when someone needs to interact with HR. It usually involves something that has a significant impact on their lives. Why we need to listen to the They may have been promoted. Perhaps they’re returning to full-time work from work- sharing. What if they are faced with an illness that will keep them off work for so long that women’s movement their pay reduces? reporting difficulties with the reconciliation shared services looked achievable. But the Strengthened RECENTLY we’ve seen increased Deliveroo or one of the other platform- Moreover, when the income of men and of their sick pay. process limped on without adequate planning attention being given to the nature of based apps. women across occupations was or direction. Is it unreasonable to expect a local, employment and in particular to the examined it was seen that women Delays in the reconciliation of sick leave In a recently published paper I departmental HR service, where they can quality of employment. There is hardly a continue to dominate in the low paid cause a deficit in hours in the short term. If systematically examined the gendered close a door and have that private face-to- day that passes when we pick up the this is not reconciled in good time, the deficit nature of employment, and insecure, low occupations. What is more, even in Too early face conversation? newspaper or turn on the radio that we carries on from month to month, showing a paid employment over a 20-year period. these lower paid occupations, a false position of the hours worked. do not hear talk of ‘precarious work’, The project was launched too early, before it Fórsa was prompted to conduct its survey on The results were a story of both substantive gender pay gap remains. In foot of a huge number of complaints from ‘insecure jobs’, ‘zero hours contracts’, And an ongoing dispute over sick leave was ready. The staffing requirements were continuity and change. In terms of this respect, women face a double pay members, and senior management’s denial of ‘the gig economy’, ‘contingent reconciliation can have a knock-on effect by poorly understood, and the organisation had change we have seen an overall penalty. the systemic nature of the problem. employment’ or some variation of these impacting on how future sick leave is an over-reliance on temporary staff from the convergence or ‘harmonising down’ of terms. recorded. outset. It forms part of a broader action plan to employment security and quality for Our members in PeoplePoint report a lack of tackle the issues. Union branches have been Whilst there is much debate about the men. It is from here that the perception Insecure urged to raise PeoplePoint issues at adequate training for new staff who, with extent of these forms of employment, that the precarious worker is a man or Departmental Council, and the Civil Service Taking all of this together then we see Delays ever-increasing workloads, get little more change over time, or the factors driving that the gig economy ‘is a man’s world’ Staff Panel has sought a meeting with the that the average precarious worker is than ‘on the job’ instruction. As if the system’s these there is more of a consensus on comes from. Men’s employment has Over two-thirds of respondents complained not difficult enough to navigate, staff aren’t Management Board to discuss the treatment not male. What’s happening is that of delays. Many said that disputes took of staff. the human impact of these jobs. experienced the largest relative rate of being given the tools to do the job. men’s work is starting to look like what anywhere from three weeks to two years to Workers in these forms of employment change, becoming more insecure or Members have been urged to use the reach a resolution. Almost a third of cases are more likely to have less security, poor in quality. women’s work has long been. Insecure, complaints procedure already in place after surveyed are still ongoing. have lower earnings, polarised working low paid, poor quality. But women our survey revealed that only half of those continue to dominate this space. Respondents acknowledged that PeoplePoint who were dissatisfied had actually registered hours, less opportunities for training, staff are working under excessively stressful a complaint. face more occupational and health risks. Segregation To stop the spread of lousy jobs we need conditions, but they expressed frustration to move beyond a sole focus on these that issues previously dealt with in good time While Fórsa attends monthly meetings with These work practices also impact The results however also show evidence new forms of precarious employment as by local HR departments were now taking PeoplePoint officials to deal with particular negatively on workers in terms of lower of enduring gender inequalities in the much longer to resolve. cases, the relatively low number of formal living standards, bring about difficulties labour market. The fact is that women these only make up a minority share of objections allows management to dismiss in accessing secure accommodation continue to be more likely to be in the total. When we do, we will see that This is far from the vision of efficiency and complaints of systemic failure as anecdotal, and place workers at greater risk of insecure employment. In addition, many of the policy solutions to tackling effectiveness predicted by then-public rather than fact-based. spending minister Brendan Howlin when he developing health problems. All in all, significant gendered segregation precarious employment are the same as announced the new shared service. He said In this context, the Fórsa survey has these lousy jobs bring lousy remains in terms of the types of jobs those which have long been proposed the system would save €12.5 million a year strengthened the union’s hand, as well as consequences. that both men and women do, with by the women’s movement. by centralising most HR operations in giving us a better understanding of the women continuing to dominate in what problem and its causes. It will aid our In terms of assessing who precarious Lisa Wilson is an Economist at the Clonskeagh, south Dublin, and by reducing is often known as ‘pink collar’ jobs, such discussions with management, which focus workers are we have seen quite a lot of the number of personnel staff by 17% as caring jobs and retail jobs. These jobs Nevin Economic Research Institute. Her on the difficulties faced by PeoplePoint staff attention being given to evidence across the civil service. are significantly more likely to be low main research interests lie in the areas as well as the problems the system is causing illustrating the fact that precarious Proponents of the move also promised others. paid, insecure and of poor quality more of income distribution, poverty, public workers are concentrated amongst greater efficiency and a higher quality generally speaking than the jobs expenditure, living standards and well- We’re determined to get this resolved, and younger workers, workers in lower customer service. dominated by men. being. Lisa completed her PhD in equally clear that senior management can’t skilled jobs, and workers with lower Sociology titled ‘Income inequality and In exchange for guarantees of job security be allowed to simply shift the blame to their levels of educational attainment. Having children further amplifies the well-being in the United Kingdom’ which and an end to further pay cuts as the post- hard-working staff. Relatively little attention has been given differentiation between males and crash recession started to bite, unions had she carried out in the School of agreed to cooperate with changes, including Tom Geraghty. Seán Carabini is a Fórsa assistant general to-date however to the gender of females. Having one or more children Sociology, Social Policy and Social secretary. Roísín McKane works with the the move to shared services, under the 2010 precarious workers. And indeed, a quick reduces the likelihood of females being Work, Queens University, Belfast. Croke Park deal. Quality control measures have also been union’s Communications Unit. PeoplePoint glance at the gender of the average in permanent, full-time jobs by almost absent, and were only introduced reactively. has changed its name to HR Shared precarious worker tends to show that one-third, with only 44% of females See also: ‘When a man with a van is his In any case, the idea seemed worth exploring The IT systems that were used were not fully Services, but we’ve used the old title as most of them are male. There is also an with one or more children working in a very own man’ by Bernard Harbor on as efficiencies and improvements through developed. The service level agreements most people still use its former name n assumption that they work for Uber, permanent, full-time job. page 8 n
16 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 17 Trade union activism
The ONE Galway initiative was launched in February at the Mick Lally Theatre in Galway City. Activists, officials, students and community representatives came together to discussion to share their experiences of poor launch the second One Movement initiative, with a particular focus on precarious work. quality employment in childcare, the hospitality industry, higher education and in care services. Most of the contributions emphasised that improvement is only possible when people work together to One voice. One secure them. Campaigns
While similar to the Cork initiative, ONE Galway’s focus lies in a broader movement. One Galway. organisational engagement from the outset, where student unions are working alongside their trade union counterparts on campaigns such as housing needs, in addition to the THE PROJECT is a collaborative initiative campaign focus on precarious working. comprising of trade and student unions Joe Cunningham, the general secretary operating in the Galway area, supported by designate of SIPTU, said: “ONE Galway will the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the also work to better equip and increase the Galway Council of Trade Unions. capacity of the trade union movement in Fórsa deputy general secretary Kevin Galway city and county to deal together with Callinan, who was one of the speakers at the Fórsa organiser Helen Cousins and Maggie Ronayne (NUIG) at the ONE the many different challenges which face event, explained: “The aim of the project is to Galway launch event. workers, particularly students, younger foster a deeper engagement and workers and those from our migrant collaboration between trade unions, student In her presentation, Dr O’Sullivan said something “of the past” and said she was communities.” “Precariousness, at its heart, is about “highly sceptical” when employers claimed unions and community groups at workplace Kevin added: “It’s about consolidating the uncertainty, and every problem, every poor that millennials were no longer interested in and societal levels to organise, campaign, strength, resources and expertise locally of outcome that workers have is because of full-time, permanent jobs. She said it was educate and communicate with workers and all these organisations and building a uncertainty. Whether its hours, job or social important to challenge the claim that more the wider community. stronger network to improve living and insecurity, it’s about uncertainty.” secure working arrangements was a thing of working conditions and achieve significant the past. Dr O’Sullivan said many employers like to gains for all workers through greater trade think of full-time, permanent jobs as Members of the audience joined the union and civic participation.” n
Civil Service Credit Union (CSCU), Dr Michelle O’Sullivan. would like to extend our sincere
“Building on the successful model congratulations to Fórsa and its members established by the ONE Cork initiative, on becoming one of Ireland’s largest trade unions. launched in 2016, ONE Galway is about organising workers, their families and CSCU has been working with and on behalf of civil communities to influence change and create and public servants for over 25 years and we look forward a future within which there is access to decent work, decent pay and a decent to continue to build on the close relationship between standard of living for all,” he said. the two organisations. We wish all Fórsa members, staff and their families Precarious work the very best going forward.
The initial campaign focus for ONE Galway will be on precariousness and the exploitation of workers. The launch event featured a strong presentation on the issue For further information about your Credit Union please visit www.cscu.ie or call us at 01 662 2177. from Dr Michelle O’Sullivan of the University of Limerick.
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20 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 21 Public services
But she warns that the trend towards privatisation remains strong in other places.
Spread The report follows the earlier publication of research from the Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute, which examined over 800 Diarmaid Mac A Bhaird examples of re-municipalisation across the globe between 2000 and 2017. It says the trend of re-municipalisation emerged in European water services, before spreading to other sectors and Three decades after continents. privatisation first got a It gives examples of re-municipalisation grip on public services, in various sectors including water supply in Paris and waste management a new trend of ‘re- in Germany. This follows previous EPSU reports, which found examples of re- particularly in areas of the city’s The most recent EPSU report also municipalisation’ is municipalisation in cities like Paris, northside. A Fórsa campaign on the addressed the transition towards a emerging. DIARMAID Munich and London demonstrating that issue, now underway, aims to solve the ‘circular economy,’ which places a high the public service delivered more cost issue of private waste collection value on the re-use and recycling of MAC A BHAIRD looks efficient and effective services. companies refusing to collect ‘bagged waste materials. Weghmann says this is at the implications and tagged’ rubbish, which private heralding change in the waste sector, Re-municipalisation has become contractors are paid to lift. most notably a shift towards recycling for Ireland. increasingly common in the years since, and away from landfill. with the trend spreading from large cities to smaller towns and rural areas. BRINGING PRIVATISED refuse and While examples of privatisation Circular economy waste services back into public hands continue to occur, several reports find “Fly tipping in could reduce costs for households and this leads to more expensive and less Dublin has become As well as being more environmentally businesses, while improving pay and efficient services with increasingly poor sustainable, it’s estimated that this working conditions for staff, according working conditions. progressively worse in trend will create a million new jobs across the continent by 2030, because to a new study published by the Meanwhile, unions have warned that the years following recycling is more labour-intensive than European Federation of Public Service private companies that lose business as the old method of disposal. The report Unions (EPSU). a result of re-municipalisation are privatisation, suggests that further advancements to The head of Fórsa’s two local authority seeking the repeal of French laws that particularly in areas the circular economy have the potential divisions, Peter Nolan, says there are stop water disconnections for to treble that figure to three million. lessons for Dublin City Council and customers with unpaid bills. They also of the city’s northside. other Irish local authorities in the warn of legal action being taken before Peter Nolan, who represented Fórsa at a report’s findings. “The most significant the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Dublin city council recent EPSU seminar that discussed takeaway is that re-municipalisation can the basis of international trade rules crews are required to the research findings, said: “A Privatised be done, in Dublin city and elsewhere in and so called ‘new generation’ mega municipalised waste management Ireland. The report demonstrates a trade deals like the Transatlantic Trade lift any illegal waste. service at the centre of refuse and trend of waste management services and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and waste services in Dublin, and geared returning to the public sector in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Fórsa suspects that, towards a circular economy, would be of different places on the continent,” he Agreement (CETA). as a result, private much higher value to society than the council said. current privatised model. It would also waste companies be positive in terms of sustainability, the The study, Waste management in Dublin environment, cost reduction, improved Europe: Good jobs in the circular may be deliberately efficiency and ensuring the best economy, says there is no evidence to Waste management services in Dublin possible conditions for workers and the support the view that privatised waste ignoring rubbish they were privatised in early 2012. Before best possible service for customers.” services management operations are better than that the city had been seen as a bastion are contracted to publically-provided services. because it was the last European Unions believe this shift towards the Conversely, it suggests the opposite to capital with a fully municipalised public collect.” circular economy holds out the prospect be true. waste management service. IMPACT, of better pay and working conditions in one of the unions that merged to create the industry if it integrates informal Its author, Vera Weghmann of the Fórsa, campaigned against the workers into the public waste sector, now off London-based Public Services Calls for council waste crews to lift this privatisation of services in the city, and where conditions are significantly better International Research Group, identifies waste have also increased drastically in an IMPACT position paper from 2011 than in private companies. European examples of ‘re- recent months. Dublin city council crews criticised the move and warned of municipalisation,’ where privatised are required to lift any illegal waste. The increased fly tipping in the city. waste and refuse services have been union suspects that, as a result, private Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird is a Global trend brought back into public control Fly tipping in Dublin has, indeed, waste companies may be deliberately Legal Studies masters student in because of high costs or service become progressively worse in the ignoring rubbish they are contracted to Maynooth University who is currently shortcomings. years following privatisation, collect. a part-time intern at Fórsa n 22 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 23 HSCP conference
A special Fórsa conference in February brought Exploring the together 200 health and social care professionals, and explored the future of the professions in a future of changing health service in the context of emerging health service structures, demographic changes, and healthcare the relationships between Kevin Callinan – Fórsa deputy general health promotion, hospital Carmel Devine, Maura Cahalan- chairperson of secretary and Suzanne Rastrich, Chief Brian O’Donnell, John Delamere and care and community-based Fórsa’s health division and Lynn Coffey, Fórsa. Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS. Rosairi Mannion. primary care and social services.
HEALTH AND social care professions (HSCP) include speech and language therapists, social care workers, social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, podiatrists, orthoptists, biochemists and audiologists.
The head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Margaret McMahon and Kalawole Majora, Solomon Popolla Delegates from all sectors of the health division Éamonn Donnelly told the high- Carmel Reynolds. and John Nwooo. service attended the conference. level conference that the country’s 18,000 health and social care professionals were neglected in health service planning and delivery, and that Eamonn Donnelly, Forsa's head of 80-90% of final year health profession division for Health & Welfare with students were considering emigration Minister for Health Simon Harris. as a more attractive option than working in the Irish health service. Eamonn told the conference that health what this means for therapy and care He said the failure of politicians and and social care professionals should be service provision. health service managers to place the in leadership positions in the HSE and l Additional investment and health and social care professions at the Department of Health, where they could centre of service planning will hamper take an active and visible place in health recruitment to ease staffing the implementation of the ‘Sláintecare’ service policy and operational decision- shortages, bring down waiting times, health reform programme, which won making. and move towards a seven-day cross-party political support last year. service where there is demand for it. Delegates enjoying the conference. Vickie Kirkpatrick and Maura Reynolds. The conference was full to capacity. Eamonn called on health minister Simon l Improved career paths, with enough Harris, who also addressed the Measures clinical specialists to reflect the development of professional conference, to immediately create a Fórsa listed a range of actions it says knowledge and the needs of patients departmental post of Senior Advisor on are necessary to realise the full and clients. Therapy Services. The conference was potential of the professions in the also addressed by Rosarii Mannion of delivery of Sláintecare and other health l A “radical but simple shift” to allow the HSE and the chief executives of service improvements. They include: therapists and others to refer clients Tusla and the National Federation of to other health and social care Voluntary Bodies. l The appointment of more HSCPs to professionals as necessary, rather leadership positions including in than sending them back to a areas like workforce and service consultant or GP. Expansion planning, with the immediate creation of a health department position of l More management support and The Sláintecare programme envisages a Senior Advisor on Therapy Services. advocacy for staff in highly-stressed major expansion of primary care and settings like child protection. social care capacity, with free access to l More certainty about how new Corina Glennon, Kerry Cuskelly GP and hospital services within five Community Health Organisations will l More consistent and solid employer Mags Kearns and Patrick Jones. and Roisin Higgins. Declan Slevin and Suzanne O’Brien. years. interact with hospital groups, and support for CPD n
24 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 25 Fórsa launch A great night out
To mark the creation of Fórsa, over 300 guests and trade union members celebrated the occasion at a special launch event in the Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday 15th of March.
Tom Geraghty, Fórsa joint general secretary, Fórsa members enjoying the launch of the new union. Tom McKevitt and Billy Hannigan.
Deirdre Nihill – Dublin No. 2 Revenue, Ed Harte – Cormac Donoghue – Portlaoise General, Kathleen McGee – LetterKenny Joint Fórsa presidents: Sligo branch and Michelle Spearman Geraghty, Maria Dowling – Revenue Cork Branch, Branch and Daniel Sweeney – Pat Fallon with Ann McGee and Niall McGuirk. Tipperary North – health and community. David Begg former ICTU general secretary with Shay Cody Fórsa senior general secretary. Olajide Ogidan – Fórsa organiser. DEC, Donegal.
Kevin Callinan – Fórsa deputy Michael Clark – Municipal general secretary, Andy Pike – Fórsa Employees, Tom Brady, ex nat. John Flanagan, Margaret Coughlan, Tom Brady, ex Nat. head of division and secretary and Julie Flood – Secretary, Kathleen O’Doherty and Maria Dunne. Ciaran Sheehan – Agriculture No.1. Dublin City Branch.
Former PSEU presidents: Patricia Tobin, Brian O’Connor, Valerie Behan, Bridie Shortall and Patricia Fanning – Niall McGuirk, Fiona Lee, John Rossiter and Brendan Lawless. North Leinster SNA branch.
Jack McCarthy – BVA, Helen Canning – BVA, Hannah Duffy – Revenue Branch, Paul Moyer – Eoin Ronayne, Fórsa general secretary, Betty Tyrell Collard – Dublin Central Maureen Madden and Pat Kelly chairperson for Sheila Smith – Civil Service Branch, Fórsa, Tom Morrin – Revenue, Branch, Helen Linehan – Cork General, Blaire Horan and Deirdre Nihill – the Visually Impaired. Martin Walsh – Louth Branch. Paddy Quinn and Liz Fay – Cork Branch. Seán Carabini – Fórsa . Dublin No.2 Revenue.
26 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 27 Fórsa launch
Gina O’Brien, Barbara Byrne and Siobhan O’Callaghan – IOTI Branch. Fórsa members enjoying the launch. Peter McLoone – former IMPACT general secretary, Blaire Horan – former CPSU general secretary, Eoin Ronayne – Fórsa joint general secretary, Shay Cody – Fórsa senior general secretary, Tom Geraghty – Fórsa joint general secretary, Dan Murphy – former PSEU Shay Kavanagh – Municipal Employees general secretary and Kevin Callinan – Fórsa deputy general secretary. and Tara Robertson – Dublin City.
Tom Delaney, Padraig Kelleher, Michael Peters and Larry Lyons, all Agricultural Number 1.
Debbie Brennan – Carlow General, Susan Sheran – Limerick, Thomas Morrin – Revenue and Michelle Mark Leahy – Local Gov, Limerick Four former IMPACT presidents. Pat Fallon, Spearman Geraghty – Tipperary North, and Seamus Ryan – Clare. Kevin O’Malley, Jerry King and Sean McHugh. health and community.
Neil Rooney, Dennis Rooney and Don Giveney – Westmeath, Ellen Brennan – FT branch, Sinead Costello – Sligo. Eugene Dunne – Civil Service DEC.
Tom Delaney, Padraig Kelleher, Michael Peters and Larry Lyons, all Agricultural Number 1.
Deidre O’Connell – Fórsa organiser, Tom Brown – Galway branch, Kay Miskella – Wexford branch. Let’s get started Fórsa’s youth committee has begun planning its campaign activities. Lead organiser Joe O’Connor is pictured with the committee’s campaign group as they met in Eimear Codd – Legal Professional, Mick Ryan and Tom Madden - Willie Doyle and Margaret Lennin – March. National Museum with Civil Service N0.1, Liz Madden – Ballinasloe with Michelle Paul Rowe – Educate Together. Connaughton – Roscommon. 28 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 29 Culture
Love In The Wild is a new play written by Lisa Walsh, and opened in March at the Axis theatre in Ballymun. Lisa is a member of Fórsa and qualified as a social worker as a mature student in 1999. She is currently working in child protection having previously worked as a medical social worker and an addiction worker. NIALL SHANAHAN met Lisa before the opening night to talk about her inspiration for the play, its development from page to stage, and her Niall Shanahan. desire to challenge the stigma of addiction. Love in the Wild
“THE PLAY is about love, it’s about judgment but hopefully it’s also about redemption. He’s not the stereotype of an addict, there are many layers to Ger and many layers to his story,” Lisa explains. Lisa chats at a mile-a-minute pace and her passion for storytelling shines through. “The play is a one-man show Love In The Wild is performed by Anto Seery. about a man called Ger Duffy. He’s from Ballymun on Dublin’s north side. He’s on a methadone programme and he’s Lisa says the play is also funny and monologues, which formed the source about him. Peter turned to me at one of journeying through addiction and entertaining. “Peter is a very material for Love in the Wild.” the performances and said ‘You really through big changes in his life. experienced director, and he’s brilliant need to run this into a full length play’, One of the monologues, The Lift, at script and pacing. A lot happens in and so began a collaboration that “He has a strong connection to wildlife secured a best actor award for Seery in this hour, Anto takes us there, with a helped to nurture the play into its and nature, which helps explain how he the Underground Cinema Film Festival minimal set,” she explains. current form,” she says. sees the world, in a way that’s quite Actors Showcase in 2015. It led to an different to how most people see it,” she “There’s a lot of rich stories in a community like Ballymun, a lot to write about” – invitation from Sheridan to perform both says. Lisa Walsh, social worker and playwright. Origins monologues on his Are You Having A Where to from here? Laugh? tour. Ger’s experience was informed and The Sunday Times review for Love In inspired by Lisa’s work in addiction Before its recent tour of Dublin venues, Lisa said it made her think about Lisa has been a social worker since The Wild said “There’s a risk he could cut services over the last 20 years. While including the Viking theatre in Clontarf, Ballymun and the experience of stigma. 1999, and began writing in 2013. “I grew up with a lot of the play toured in a number of addiction “I grew up with a lot of stigma myself, a pathetic figure: living at home, sloppily taking part in a creative writing course “I’d never thought about writing. I used centres in Dublin. “We knew we had a my mam had addiction problems. When I stigma myself, my mam had dressed, occasionally rapturous at the five years ago, Lisa recalled a story to manage the childcare resource responsibility for the people we started to write lots of things came prospect of a cup of tea. But Anto she’d heard about one addict’s centre in Ballymun Partnership and got addiction problems. When performed for in that setting. So I would Seery’s performance transcends his experience of visiting Ballymun back to me, like my experience of being to know Ray Yates, who used to run the I started to write lots of do an introduction, and we’d have a Q&A limited horizons. Under Peter Sheridan’s swimming pool 20 years previously. a little girl with my mam, and the way Axis theatre in Ballymun. I got the after the performance. As a social things came back to me, like subtle direction, he draws us into his people treated her, and later looking at opportunity to take part in a writing worker I was very aware of that world, slowly revealing layers of the experience of people when I worked workshop. It had three key features, it my experience of being a responsibility, and that’s what I brought Stigma in addiction services. It’s why I was was free, it was high quality and it was personality. When his past catches up to this.” little girl with my mam, and drawn to social work in the first place.” accessible. with him again, offering an unexpected “The swimming pool was a huge feature the way people treated her, Lisa said the response to those chance at new meaning in his life, we of life for anyone who grew up in “There were great writers in the group. performances helped to inform the and later looking at the are fully invested in what’s at stake.” Ballymun. Swimming and chester There’s a lot of rich stories in a development of the play. “One man told Team slices – the cakes we had after we went community like Ballymun, a lot to write experience of people when I Lisa tells me there’s potential for the me ‘We’ve all had that walk of shame, swimming – were a big part of the Lisa is quick to give credit to her about. The talent that was there was a play to continue touring. There’s even where we were walked out of places, worked in addiction services. Ballymun childhood. creative team, which she describes as bit intimidating to begin with. some talk of developing a film version, security man would come over and put “tight”. The play is performed by actor It’s why I was drawn to social but ultimately Lisa wants to bring the “He went back as an adult for a swim his hand on your shoulder.’ When he Anto Seery, under the guidance of “My writing was very formal, report-like, work in the first place.” play and her social work together in an but he left because he became very described that I knew we were on to acclaimed director Peter Sheridan and to begin with, because of my training environment that could provide training something, because it’s trying to give a self-conscious of being – as he called backed by producer Sheila Sheridan. and background. It took me a while to and development for social workers. himself – a ‘junkie’. It stayed with me and voice to that experience. We worked unpack that. Colm Keegan, who ran the They were on to something. “From the Watch this space. came back to me when I started writing,” more on developing the script after each Aside from how the play addresses the workshops, encouraged me to find my start, audiences warmed to the she explains. of those performances.” thorny issues of addiction and stigma, own voice, and I came away with two character of Ger Duffy. They cared See loveinthewild.ie n
30 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 31 Young people in care
Staged by advocacy organisation themselves blend experiences of being in care and what it Most contacts from under-18s in care into the meant for us. Yes, I was in care, but now are about being unhappy in the home EPIC in partnership with Tusla, neighbourhood. I’m also a professional living my life, they’re living in, or not seeing their happy and making my own choices,” parents as often as they want to. Poor ‘Care Day 2018’ was a huge But workshops and says Suzanne. access to aftercare, housing and other engagements success. But fighting the stigma education for the over-18s who have with young people in This year, the initiative included film left care environments also loom large attached to young people in care is care reveal that they showings, a football tournament, rap as issues. a year-round job. DIARMAID MAC feel different. And workshops, drama performances, social surveys carried out media posts, and even a flash-mob on A BHAIRD reports. on Care Day show Dublin’s Grafton Street. It was Challenging Diarmaid Mac A Bhaird they are seen as supported by Tusla child and family different by other agency’s CEO Fred McBride and the For many, things get most challenging Suzanne O’Brien. people too. Children’s Ombudsman Niall Muldoon. after their eighteenth birthday when they have to leave care. Many have difficulty attaining their first time job as a result of their often fractured Reducing stigma educational experience and poor educational outcomes. Many young people also have lower self-esteem and confidence than their peers as a result of their care experience. A lack of appropriate internships, workshops and takes care skills training are among the concerns that EPIC is working to address. In a moving and eloquent contribution, Suzanne shared her own personal journey into, through and post-care at Fórsa’s recent conference of health and social care professionals. Participants were also treated to some fantastic EPIC videos that brilliantly
Care day events took place across five nations.
“People see them as lost, or without any family, or unable to achieve as much as another young person. There are lots of negative stereotypes. The expectations of them aren’t as high as for, say, another 16-year-old in their class,” says Suzanne, who is EPIC’s participation and development coordinator.
Stubbon Care Day, which took place on February 16th, celebrates children and young As the biggest initiative encouraging Spreading the word via radio. people with care experience, increases people with care experience to share awareness of the issues they face, and their positive memories and Sharing positive experiences. tackles the stubborn stigma that they communicated the issues to a wider “YOUNG PEOPLE are young people There are over 6,200 young people experiences, Care Day provides a live with. audience. You can check them out at regardless of their circumstances. living in care in Ireland today, and many perfect starting point for EPIC as it epiconline.ie. Those who live in care deserve to have more who have moved on after living in Organised with equivalent advocacy strives to achieve its long-term goals. the same rights, goals and aspirations care. advocacy organisation EPIC organisations in England, Scotland, “Our job is being there in their corner, Because the work continues during the for themselves as any other young (empowering people in care), is Wales and Northern Ireland through the supporting young people to use their “They have their own stories of love, other 364 days of the year for EPIC’s person would have.” dedicated to reducing the stigma that ‘5 Nations, 1 Voice’ (5N1V) Alliance, it voices to address the issues they have,” laughter, resilience and overcoming 17 staff in Cork, Dublin, Galway and surrounds young people in care. has an international feel. And EPIC she says. So says Fórsa member Suzanne barriers. They live in our communities, Limerick. The organisation, which helps rightly believes that this year was our O’Brien, who recently helped organise they go to local schools, and we need to These days, residential care settings children and young people who are – or Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird is a Global most successful year to date. the awareness-raising ‘Care Day 2018,’ embrace them and see them as we do are mainly large family homes, with who have been – in care, and dealt with Legal Studies masters student in which is the world’s largest celebration any other young person, regardless of capacity for staff and perhaps four “We had a major drive to reduce the nearly 600 cases in 2017. They help Maynooth University who is currently of children and young people with care their circumstances,” says Suzanne young people with a bedroom each. stigma. We went on various radio anyone with care experience on a wide a part-time intern at Fórsa. Additional experience. who, with her colleagues in the They don’t stick out. They strive to make stations and spoke about our range of issues. reporting by Bernard Harbor n
32 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 33 Food
Julia Child. Food on television has gone through local food in Far few evolutionary changes since the Flung Floyd. This is a format that pioneering efforts of Fanny Cradock has been and Julia Child. DANIEL DEVERY faithfully adhered to by writes that, while some terrestrial Floyd-disciple food programmes are stuck in Rick Stein, who continues to be outdated formats, the streaming flown around the services are tearing up the rule book world by the BBC despite his and putting fun, philosophy and on-screen Daniel Devery. eclecticism back into the mix. awkwardness. Phil Rosenthal. Nigel Slater too, has done well with this approach, and his recent BBC series focusing on the food of Lebanon, Turkey and Iran is highly recommended. But by far the most watchable and enjoyable show to combine food and TV travel (in my own humble opinion) is the new Netflix show Somebody Feed Phil. Phil Rosenthal’s six part series visits Bangkok, Saigon, Lisbon, Tel Aviv, New Orleans and Mexico City to reveal the people, the food and the culture of hospitality in each location. dinners I can’t recommend it enough. Rosenthal, the producer responsible for the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond is possessed of a child-like wonder and I THINK we have a slightly weird That both women need only a first-name unassuming charm. In an anxious world, relationship with TV cooks. I mean weird introduction is testament to the fact he reminds us all of how much we have in the sense that I can’t imagine why any that they have firmly established in common, and how that shared of us would happily watch somebody themselves in the collective experience finds expression through the cook a dish on television that we have consciousness. simple breaking of bread. Even in Tel no intention of ever making ourselves. Aviv, where at first he seems to gloss over the obvious complications, he But that view suggests the purpose of travels out of the Israeli city to find Post-war Both women boosted the confidence of the life of contemporary New York food TV cooking is instructional, which it’s unexpected harmony. clearly not. The bulk of food The origins of food on television have the home cooks in their audience, while blogger Julie Powell, played by Amy programming transitioned from very strong roots in post-war Europe. at the same time generating an Adams. This affectionate film works Keith Floyd. education to entertainment a very long Fanny Cradock was hired by the BBC to aspirational mood. This still best in the segments focusing on Child Philosophy time ago. educate and inspire characterises much of the food and her husband Paul, played by Stanley bacchanalian fun, he may well be solely programming we see today on Irish Tucci. responsible for the well-established What Netflix brings to the mix, apart The only TV cook who British home cooks television, with chefs like Neven trend of cooking outdoors at a from a desire to discard the overcooked ever truly mastered the not long after Maguire and the various stalwarts of makeshift and windswept improvised TV (sorry) and outdated TV formats that instructional approach rationing was lifted Ballymaloe House (Darina and Rachel Man enters, bearing kitchen. still, somehow, find favour with was Delia, whose no- in 1954. Allen, Rory O’Connell). terrestrial commissioning editors, is a nonsense, step-by-step food While Kerr and Floyd concentrated on Cradock’s desire to explore what food means to reassuring approach bon viveur entertainment, fast forward inspiration was the When it came to men in the kitchen, the us. built a huge audience of to 1999, and the arrival of Jamie Oliver great French chef Screen stories focus on instruction was almost devotees from the brings a new dimension. Suddenly it’s If you enjoy Rosenthal, the next logical Auguste Escoffier, immediately abandoned, and the focus 1970s onwards. Delia Cradock and Child have had their cool for men to cook, and domestic step is David Chang’s Ugly Delicious, an producing cost- instead was on blokey boozy fun. is to be commended for effective yet stories dramatised for the screen and kitchen design has, ever since, veered entertaining and casually insightful look her strict rule about extravagant looking make for compelling, if uneven, viewing. This was very much the case with toward an expanse of stainless steel. at food culture and ethnicity, while never being filmed food for an audience Fear of Fanny, the BBC’s 2006 Graham Kerr, best known for his 1969– He’s also made outdoor wood-burning Michael Pollan’s Cooked is a four-part tasting her own food. hard-wired by treatment of Cradock’s story, featuring 1971 television cooking show The ovens the current status symbol of series exploring the elemental Julia Davis, is available on YouTube. It’s Galloping Gourmet and later with the choice. processes of food and cooking. Photos: gettyimages.ie By contrast, Nigella has wartime austerity. Delia Smith. a bleakly comic take on Cradock’s various BBC shows featuring Keith built an audience Finally, check out the slow-motion Similarly, Julia Child attended the eccentricity and well worth viewing. Floyd in the 80s and 90s. largely on her famous Le Cordon Bleu cookery school Food and travel opening credits on Netflix’s Chef’s Table. audience’s fascination with the sight of while stationed in Paris with the US Nora Ephron’s 2009 film Julie & Julia Floyd appeared to demolish all the It may seem an excessive starter, but her stuffing her face while sauce, butter Foreign Service from 1948, and stars Meryl Streep as Julia Child. The established rules of TV cookery. With a Keith Floyd was wise enough to get out stay for the main course, as the world’s and other assorted fats dribble through debuted on US television with The film contrasts the life of Child in the theme tune by punk legends The of the confines of the studio, and the most renowned chefs explain their life’s her fingers. French Chef in 1963. early years of her culinary career with Stranglers and an anarchic sense of kitchen, and was at his best sampling work. Bon appetite n
34 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 35 Travel
Vietnam is renowned for its friendly people, mouth-watering food and The basics
picturesque countryside and attracts One standout experience in Hue is its millions of tourists every year. If incredible food, which is known to be Travel spicy but luxurious. There’s also a focus you’re planning your first Vietnam on vegetarianism which stems from the Considering how far away it is from Ireland, it’s worth spending at least two influence of Buddhism. weeks in the country. Internal flights are very affordable and worth checking out adventure, UNA-MINH KAVANAGH if you want to get from North Vietnam to the centre and to the south. If you’re has a guide to get you started. going by train, it’s worth noting that each carriage is owned by a different Una-Minh Kavanagh Sapa and the far north company and can vary in quality. Check the options online, Livitrans is one that I would recommend. Sapa is an amazing town close to the Chinese border, head out of the town to lush rice paddy fields to experience the Visas real countryside, perfect for trekking. Sapa is close to the Phang Xi Pang peak Paper (‘loose leaf’) visas are only Land of the (3,143metres), which is climbable via a available through the UK as there’s no steep, multi-day guided walk. The area Vietnamese Embassy in Ireland (check is known for its ethnic minorities, such out vietnamembassy.ie). You can order as the Hmong, Tay and Dao tribes, who an e-visa online (it’s cheaper) and collect make up much of the town's local it at the airport once you arrive. population. However, there’s a certain amount of risk with this so you should research lotus flower To get to Sapa you can either go by which companies are best to order from overnight train or bus, but I think that before you buy. you should splash out on the train if Kavanagh Photo: Una-Minh you’re looking to get any kind of decent sleep (see ‘The basics’). WITHOUT A shadow of a doubt, incredible Notre-Dame Cathedral, made and preserved. Set around a canal, the Vaccines Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi is well entirely of materials imported from former port-city is graceful and There are no compulsory vaccines but, if you’re visiting more rural parts of the worth a visit. Its centuries-old France, and the 19th-century Central saturated in history with a mix of French Ha Long Bay country, it makes sense to get vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Check architecture oozes intrigue and the city Post Office. A city of discovery that’s colonial buildings, Chinese-style out the advice at Tropical Medicine Bureau (tmb.ie) for more. holds a fascinating mix of Chinese, bursting with energy, you’ll marvel at the shopfronts and an iconic Japanese This UNESCO world heritage site, French and Southeast-Asian influences. gorgeous temples, street stalls and surrounded by karst towers of covered bridge. At the heart of Hanoi is the brilliant Old markets but also its modern limestone, is astonishing. Ha Long Bay When? Quarter by Hoan Kiem Lake where the skyscrapers and boutique shops. can be very busy, which sometimes streets are arranged by trade and takes away from its natural beauty, but Depending on your love of the heat or not (25°C is just perfect for me!), I would motorbikes are everywhere. There’s Hue it’s a place that will stay in your memory say that the best time to visit Vietnam is after Tet from February to April, or incredible street food to be found, and Hoi An Hue, the Imperial City (Hoàng thành) is for years to come. It’s quite often during autumn from August to October. The temperatures during this time are far an atmosphere like no other, as the covered in mist, much to the more bearable, and rainfall is lighter. Famous for its handmade lanterns, this situated near Hoi An in central Vietnam. smells of fresh coffee, barbecues and disappointment of tourists, but skies charming town caters well to children While visiting during festivals might seem like a good idea to catch the spices weave their way to your nostrils. One of the main attractions here is its are usually clear during March and May. too, with the riverside all lit up at night atmosphere, flights to Vietnam and internal flights during key events like Tet incredible 19th century citadel with its Some of the best times for cruises can and boasting games for all the family. Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year) can be far more expensive. royal palaces and shrines surrounded by be during spring and autumn. Unfortunately, there’s no airport in Hoi Ho Chi Minh City moats. This city was also the Tet usually falls on a date between late January and February and during this An, so you will need to either fly to I’d also recommend you consider its time most Vietnamese take their holidays, so transport and accommodation Also known still by its former name, nearby Da Nang and get a bus or private battleground for the Battle of Hue, one quieter sister location, Bai Tu Long Bay. options are often full, and prices rise significantly. Saigon, this is the largest city in car from there. While incredibly touristy, of the longest and bloodiest battles of It looks the same, is nearby, but has far Vietnam. The city is known for its the city still manages to keep its the American War. More than 5,000 fewer tourists. A cruise will allow you to French colonial landmarks, including the historical ancient town well-maintained civilians were killed. see the bay without the clutter n Cash The Vietnamese Dong can’t be
bought in advance outside of Photo: Una-Minh Kavanagh Vietnam and, in truth, it’s an awkward currency. One euro is around 28,000 Dong (a large bottle of water should be between 10,000 and 15,000 Dong, about 30 to 50 cent), and be aware that some denomination notes can look very similar to one another. Vietnam is obsessed with bargaining and if you’re not used to it, you may be in for a shock. Apart from restaurants, bargaining is a way of life in Vietnam with tourists and so you need to be on your toes. The general rule for gifts and things like that is to halve the asking price and work from there. Remember also to tell your bank that you’re heading to Vietnam so that your card won’t accidentally get locked while abroad. Photo: dreamstime.com 36 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 37 Movies
Brooks’ cameo as a vicious gangster in Drive; and similarly, Ben Kinglsey as underworld enforcer in the darkly funny New releases Sexy Beast. Although slightly lighter in tone, Ralph Fiennes was enjoyably unhinged as a criminal boss in In Bruges. Fiennes also Tully (20th April) took on an uncharacteristic comedic Following on from their collaboration on Young role as the camp hotel concierge in Wes Adult, director Jason Reitman, screenwriter Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. The Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron reunite comedic opportunities of playing for this comedy-drama about the relationship against type can also be seen in Val between a mother and her children’s nanny. Kilmer’s wry performance in Shane Black’s excellent Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Colin Farrell has delivered two of his Avengers: Infinity Wars best career performances, shedding his (26th April) screen idol sheen under the direction of Yorgos Lanthimos, in both The Lobster A further instalment from the seemingly and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. inexhaustible, and potentially interminable, Marvel Universe involves the Avengers and the Taking a similar approach, and with Guardians of the Galaxy uniting to, one some considerable physical imagines, get the girl, kill the baddies and save transformation, both Halle Berry and the entire planet. Charlize Theron won Oscars for their performances in Monster’s Ball and Monster respectively. Theron’s performance as serial killer Aileen The Leisure Seeker (4th May) Wuornos, who was executed in Florida Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland star as a in 2002, is shockingly good. couple on a travelling holiday in an old RV. One Against type can expect elderly hijinks in another attempt to Downbeat cash in on the “grey pound”. Subsequent to Magnolia, Paul Thomas Anderson cast Adam Sandler in the How to Talk to Girls at romantic comedy Punch-Drunk Love. In It is a universal rule of storytelling that villains usually have more fun, at opposition to the broad, formulaic Parties (11th May) least until the good guys catch up with them. The same is true for the humour of his usual roles Sandler’s Adapted from a short story by Neil Gaiman, performance won him plaudits for the film tells the tale of an alien touring the men and women that portray them on screen. MORGAN O’BRIEN looks displaying touches of vulnerability galaxy who meets two young guys at a London at some of the great performances that have come from movie stars mixed with dark obsession. house party. playing against the expectations of their audience. Sandler has tried to repeat the trick of Morgan O’Brien playing dramatic roles, somewhat less successfully, in Reign Over Me and Deadpool 2 (16th May) WHEN HENRY Fonda arrived on the set A notable example is the late Robin earned him some of the best reviews of Funny People. In 2017 he was of Once Upon a Time in the West, Williams. Originally making his name in his career. convincing as the beleaguered son of Sequel to the knowingly, ironic comic adaptation Deadpool. Whether the continuing director Sergio Leone was unimpressed stand-up and the Happy Days spin-off Dustin Hoffman in Noah Baumbach’s Like Fonda before him, Tom Cruise has reliance on arch references to pop culture with the actor’s attempts to make Mork & Mindy, his acting career in the The Meyerowitz Stories (New and traditionally occupied roles that position continue to wear well remains to be seen. himself over as a villain. The actor, who 1980s and 1990s saw him in comedy Selected). him as heroic and appealing characters had traditionally played the part of the roles, such as Good Morning Vietnam, – what Roger Ebert classified as ‘Tom Elsewhere, Sylvester Stallone, in Cop virtuous and heroic, had made himself The Birdcage and Mrs Doubtfire, or as Cruise Pictures’. However, in Paul Land, played against type, with the over with a beard and dark contact sympathetic characters in dramas like On Chesil Beach (18th May) Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia Cruise actor shedding his usual star turn in lenses, however Leone declaimed that Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King plays off his charming persona in the favour of a forlorn characterisation of Ian McEwan adapts his own celebrated novella he wanted the audience to see the blue- and Good Will Hunting. role of a bombastically misogynist pick- the overweight and ineffectual sheriff. for this big screen treatment. Saoirse Ronan eyed Fonda gunning down an innocent Jack Nicholson equally played in family in the opening of the film. However, in 2002 Williams performed up artist in a performance that earned and Billy Howle star as the couple that must something of a volte-face by taking him a Golden Globe. Subsequently, contrast to his traditional, familiar reflect on roads not taken and chances There is something thoroughly enjoyable roles in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia, Cruise played the dispassionate and image in About Schmidt as a lonely missed. about watching actors playing against where he played a murder suspect menacing hitman, Vincent, in Michael retiree seeking meaning. type and breaking out of what is often a pursued by a jaded detective (Al Pacino), Mann’s thriller Collateral. While movie stars sometimes draw fire carefully created mould or, indeed, the and One Hour Photo, in which he played for the predictability of their usual roles- Solo: A Star Wars Story straitjacket of typecasting. It is often a lonely photo technician who suffers a based on the desire of audiences to see comfortable for audiences, and possibly (25th May) psychological breakdown. Dark them repeat past glories – it is great to performers, to maintain associations see them work outside of their comfort One of the ongoing side-project/spin-offs in with actors in specific, unchanging In both, Williams assumes a familiar In this regard, it is very often that zone… or are they working outside our the revitalised Star Wars series, which, as the roles. To watch an actor move away smiling persona but glosses this with a characters playing against type take on comfort zones? name suggests, follows the early adventures from their stock-in-trade performances slick veneer of menace that successfully the role of the villain. Other examples of fan favourite Han Solo. can yield memorable results. jars with audiences expectations and include the usually avuncular Albert Either way, magic happens n
38 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 39 Music Yoga master Sting once said that, in pop music, you must “burn from the first bar.” Indeed, some burn so brightly as to burn out into the wastelands of the one-hit-wonder. Others show some staying power and manage to crank out a second hit before obscurity. This latter group receive very little attention. RAYMOND CONNOLLY stayed up all night on YouTube to Raymond Connolly. explore the lesser known two-hit-wonders of the world.
the two-hit-wonder, despite ending with a preposition. A grammatical double standard that I just can’t get on board with. Jimmy The custodian of The Peter Principle himself, Mr Laurence J Peter observed “if two wrongs don’t make a right, try three,” which could explain the career of Norwegian ‘80s heartthrobs A-ha (more on that later). Still, the poor old two-hit-wonder artists must find it troubling that they are not two as celebrated as their one-hit cousins. This is despite having had twice the success. They’re certainly more difficult to find, but they’re out there.
Cheese lovers
Let’s namecheck a few. In 1987, lovers “At first I was afraid, I was petrified…” Gloria Gaynor immortalised by times of cheesy music drooled over Cutting 1978 classic I Will Survive. Crew’s Died in your arms tonight. As if that wasn’t enough middle-of-the-road camembert for one year, the follow up In the early ‘90s, even Mark Wahlberg Goodbye and Don’t Leave Me This Way. single Been in love before was a huge got in on the double-hit act as Marky An earlier UK top ten hit, So Cold The Mark and The Funky Bunch with Wild Night has, sadly, not stood the test of I SHARE two connections with author hit. Side and Good Vibrations. Checking the time as successfully, so they still qualify Nick Hornby. The first is, of course, my A year later, Ms Yasmin Jones (better archives, I’m relieved to see the for my two-hit theory. abiding love of the Arsenal. The second A-ha: Hunting high and low for a third US hit. known as Yazz… causing no end of grief legendary Lou Reed is credited as a is that I prefer to measure my age in for fans of Yazzoo) stormed the charts writer on Wild Side, as it mercilessly seasons rather than years. with a pop-sweetened take on acid samples most of Reed’s classic Walk on Walk… in silence Stiff upper lip and tolerance I say. The A few seasons ago I was trundling out of house with The the Wild Side while Wahlberg Americans, for example, deride the At this point I need to give a strong an Arsenal v Everton game with an Only Way Is Up unconvincingly tries to channel Eric B. & magnificent Fine Young Cannibals for Everton mate of mine. Everton had just quickly followed Rakim’s pioneering hip hop sound. advisory note to my editor. His beloved only having two hits, She Drives Me scored a late equaliser through a young by Stand Up For Joy Division (highly overrated, endlessly Crazy and Good Thing. What about Spanish player named Gerard Deulofeu. Your Love eulogised) had two successful singles Johnny Come Home, one of the great As we left the stadium we were greeted Rights and then Borrowed clothes (neither of which appeared in their entire post-ska revolution tunes? by hordes of scousers chanting disappeared like two-album collection) namely Love Will Yazz: Pop-sweetened an election Moving on from the musical “Deulofeu is magic/You know-ow- acid house. Tear Us Apart and Atmosphere (not to ow/Ger-ard Deu-lofeu-oh!” to the tune of promise. mercenaries, there’s a very compelling be confused with the Russ Abbott song Winners vs losers argument to support the view that two Scottish band Pilot’s 1974 hit single In the US, Wild of the same name). In fairness, it’s band became subs for Bay artists – who would be considered as As for A-ha, the Americans claim that Magic. Thing and Funky difficult for a band – who had more City Rollers, the zenith of greats – also wear the two-hit-wonder they had only two hits; Take on Me and Gold Medina drummers in one calendar year than hit musical ambition. badge with great distinction. Soul diva The Sun Always Shines On TV. I am were hits for singles – to earn such misplaced reverie. Gloria Gaynor really only had two big hunting high and low to find a third. Oh, ho, ho, it’s magic you The two-hit-wonder is an Tone-Lōc: Guitar-driven Tone-Lōc, a sort entirely different phenomenon hip-hop gravel. hits, a cover version of the Jackson 5 hit I had to disqualify Darts and The
Speaking of Gervais, he was the lead Photos: gettyimages.ie know of gravel-voiced Never Can Say Goodbye in 1974 and than the often eulogised one- Rubettes from this column as it turns singer and lyricist for an outfit called and guitar-driven Barry White for the (of course) the glorious hen-night Industrial strength anorak that I am, I hit-wonder. hip-hop generation. Lōc went on to have out they had many more hits. How bad Seona Dancing in the early 80s. They anthem I Will Survive four years later. did you have to be to only have two hit gleefully pointed out that Pilot were a ”If an apology is followed by an excuse a cameo role with Al Pacino in Heat as released two singles, Bitter Heart and two-hit-wonder outfit. They followed or a reason, it means they are going to police informant Richard Torena. We can As part of The Communards (formed singles in the UK? Ricky Gervais More to Lose which left little impression Magic with another smash hit January commit the same mistake they just probably also give him some credit for with dancing clergyman the Right Rev explains: “Americans applaud ambition, on the UK charts. The latter song, and then disappeared without trace. apologised for,” according to author inspiring Eurovision superstar Dustin Richard Coles) Jimmy Somerville also they openly reward success. Brits are however, became a surprise hit in the The remaining two main players in the Amit Kalantri. It’s a good explanation of the Turkey’s Funky Ford Cortina. had success with Never Can Say more comfortable with life’s losers.” Philippines in 1985. Who knew? n
40 Spring-Summer 2018 The magazine for Fórsa members 41 Win win win WIN PRIZE PRIZE €50 CROSSWORD QUIZ
Win €50 by completing the WIN €50 crossword and sending your entry, name and Just answer five address to Patricia easy questions Callinan, Fórsa crossword, and you could Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1, win €50. by Friday 1st YOU COULD have an extra €50 to June 2018. spend by answering five easy We’ll send €50 questions and sending your entry, to the first name and address to Patricia correct entry Callinan, Fórsa prize quiz. Fórsa, pulled from a Nerney’s court, Dublin 1. We’ll send hat. €50 to the first completed entry pulled from the hat.* All the answers can be found in the pages of this magazine. 1. Which one of these is NOT a president of Fórsa trade union? a. Ann McGee b. Niall McGuirk ACROSS DOWN c. Tom Geraghty 7. Domesticated goat, named after 1. See 13 down (3, 4) d. Pat Fallon 2. Be gloomy over a bad poem (4) the former name of the Turkish 2. Playwright Lisa Walsh is a Need new wheels? capital (6) 3. Low-income informal urban area in Fórsa member in which Brazil. (6) 8. Brian -– aka Myles na gCopaleen profession? 4. Imitated or reproduced (6) a. Education psychologist and Flann O'Brien (6) 5. A person employed to assist b. Social worker 9. Small purple fruit - doesn’t sound Loan rate of just 6.9% (7.12% APR)* someone in their own house (4,4 ) c. Special Education Needs fast (4) 6. ….on the streets of London (The Organiser (SENO) Representative repayments over 4 years. 10. A widespread outbreak of pied mice Smiths) (5) d. Architect (8) 12. Addictive drug, often illegal (8) 3. The Fórsa launch event took Car Loan Term 48 Monthly Instalments Total Amount Payable 11. Gogglebox friends from Hull (5, 3, 13. And 1 down, TV series starring place on 15th March in which € € € 3) Juliette Lewis, and film starring prestigious Dublin location? 10,000 4 years 239.06 11,474.27 a. Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud 14. Chewing insect found in Zurich (11) Timothy Spall (7) €15,000 4 years €358.59 €17,211.41 15. Weapons in North Dublin 6) b. The Mansion House 18. Champagne bottle equivalent to 3 c. Crumlin Shopping Centre 16. The Prince of Denmark (6) €20,000 4 years €478.12 €22,948.54 litres (8) d. Liberty Hall 17. The capital of Liguria (5) 19. This after Trump, race and red (4) All figures are for illustrative purposes only. Variable Representative Example as at 15/03/2018. 19. 1970’s Manhattan new wave 4. What does HSCP stand for? 20. In golf, scored one over par on a venue, associated with The a. Hospitals Scare Certain hole (6) Ramones, Blondie and Talking People b. Helpful Steps Charter 21. LXXX (6) Heads (1, 1, 1, 1) Performance Call 01 662 2177 or email: [email protected] c. Hello Sean Care for a Peanut? ISSUE 1 WINNERS: d. Health and Social Care Visit: CSCU Offices, St. Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 PH42. Fax: 01 6622 861 • www.cscu.ie Prize quiz: Concepta Guthrie, Ennis. Crossword: Caroline Foley, Carlow. Professionals Survey:Aishling Crossan, Portlaoise. The small print* You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. WARNING: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit agreement, your account will go into arrears. ISSUE 1 CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS: Across: 7. Ordain 8. Acetic 9. Isle 10. Mufflers 11. Savoir Faire 14. From me to you 18. Islander 19. Only one entry per person (multiple entries This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Diaz 20. Belize 21. Havana. Down: 1. Crystal 2. Nate 3. Ingmar 4. Raffia 5. Key Largo 6. Libra 12. Our will not be considered). Entries must reach Man in 13. Roxanne 15. Mad Men 16. Earthy 17. Aspen 19. Diva. us by Friday 1st June 2018. The editor’s decision is final. That’s it! *Variable Rate of Interest. Loans are subject to approval. APR means annual percentage rate. Terms and conditions apply. CIVIL SERVICE CREDIT UNION LTD. IS REGULATED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND. 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.
Simply complete this short survey and send it to Patricia Callinan, Fórsa survey, Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin 1. You can also send your views by email to [email protected]. We’ll send €100 to the first completed entry pulled from a hat.*
4. What were your least favourite articles? The survey 1 ______2 ______3 ______1. What did you think of the articles in the spring-summer Fórsa 2018 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 spring-summer 2018 issue of Fórsa? 7. Any other comments?______Excellent o ______Good o ______Okay o ______Bad o ______Awful o
Comments ______Name ______Address ______
3. What were your favourite three articles? ______1 ______Email ______2 ______Phone ______3 ______Fórsa branch ______
The small print* You must be a paid-up Fórsa member to win. Only one entry per person (multiple entries will not be considered). Entries must reach us by Friday 1st June 2018. The editor’s decision is final. That’s it!
44 Spring-Summer 2018 You’re better off in Fórsa
Fórsa members can save lot of money with our enhanced package of financial benefits provided or negotiated by the union. Some of these are free to all Fórsa members. Others are optional benefits, available only to Fórsa members, which can mean savings on insurance, salary protection, additional pension coverage and more.
Fórsa members are entitled to* l €5,000 illness benefit when out of work for more than 12 months l €5,000 personal accident insurance l €5,000 critical illness or death benefit l €5,000 death of a spouse or qualifying partner l Evacuation or repatriation expenses of up to €250,000 for members who die or are seriously ill abroad, including emergency medical expenses incurred for members temporarily abroad as a result of death/illness l Free legal help in bodily injury cases l Free 24/7 legal advice helpline l Free 24/7 confidential counselling helpline l Free 24/7 domestic assistance helpline. Members can opt in to Fórsa- facilitated financial benefits l Car insurance l Home insurance l Travel insurance l Additional pension benefits l Salary protection and life cover. Fórsa members can also apply for l Gaeltacht scholarships for their school-age children l Industrial relations scholarships l Benevolent grants for members in financial distress.
*Six months continuous membership is required to avail of services. Financial benefits are strictly subject to policy, terms, conditions and exclusions.See www.forsa.ie for details.