Dundalk Councillor calls on LGMA to engage with Fórsa Union
LGMA have said that "should Fórsa wish to follow the established processes within the State’s Industrial Relations procedure the LGMA, on behalf of local authority management, will engage with same."
Sinn Féin in Louth has called on Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to resolve the Local Government staffing crisis before it impacts on people in Louth.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Meenan made the call as members of the Fórsa Trade Union initiated industrial action commencing with an ‘indefinite ban on engagement on all political representations’ which will “severely hamper our ability to serve our constituents on day to day matters.”
Cllr Meenan said: “This has been on-going as the Local Government sector is in a retention and recruitment crisis.
“The problem is that the Government and the Local Government Management Agency are refusing to address issues around job evaluation and rates of pay.
“This is the basis of any job, evaluation and proper remuneration.
“Despite this being before the Workplace Relations Commission, the employers have now withdrawn from the negotiation table leaving Fórsa members with no option but to pursue industrial action.
“The reality is, this will impact on all councillors in Louth and our TDs as we need that engagement with staff to carry out our duties on behalf of our constituents who will ultimately suffer.
“However, this is absolutely not the fault of staff, the blame lies solely with the government and the LGMA and I would ask that Chief Executive Joan Martin exert whatever influence she has in her role, to demand that the Government and the LGMA get back to the negotiation table and work towards addressing the issues of job evaluation and sort out the retention and recruitment crisis in Local Government.”
Cllr Meenan concluded by saying:
“Sinn Féin support the workers in pursuing their rights and respect their decision to initiate industrial action.
“However, the government and LGMA need to get this sorted as soon as possible to minimise any impact on the public.”
In a statement to the Democrat the LGMA said they had been given notice of the strike, continuing:
“This action follows engagement at the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to job evaluation, attended by the LGMA representing local authority management.
“LGMA have consistently advised Fórsa that this issue is broader than the local “authority sector and should be dealt with at central level on a public sector wide basis.
“Following the WRC engagement, it was open to Fórsa to refer the matter to the Labour Court, instead they have chosen to commence industrial action, contrary to the provisions of the public sector pay agreement Building Momentum.
“Should Fórsa wish to follow the established processes within the State’s Industrial Relations procedure the LGMA, on behalf of local authority management, will engage with same.”