Fórsa members serve notice of industrial action at Longford's St Christopher's Services

Notice of industrial action was served on the management of St Christopher’s Services today (Tuesday) by the Forsa union.

The notice follows a ballot recently in which 98% of staff at the Battery Road facility voted in favour of industrial action.

The decision to take industrial action was taken as a result of an ongoing dispute over the non-payment of promised increments to all staff at the facility.

The increments were promised to be paid under previous pay agreements. However, the HSE directed St Christopher’s management that the increments could not be paid at this time.

Speaking to Longfordlive.ie, an official of the Forsa union, Tony Martin, stated that it is hoped a strike can still be avoided.

“Forsa has given St Christopher’s management three weeks notice of industrial action. However, if there is no resolution to the dispute by May 28th, work to rule would be the first action taken. Strike action is the last resort,” he stated.

“We are in regular contact with Derek (Scanlon, CEO of St. Christophers) and we have a good, business-like relationship with him,” Mr Martin added.

Mr Martin went on to say that Forsa would engage with the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission).

“If we are invited to talks with the WRC, then we would engage,” he commented.

The three week period from the notice of industrial action until action commences “allows for an intervention” according to Mr Martin.

“There are legacy pay issues in St Christopher’s,” Mr Martin added.

Also read: State treating Longford differently as strike action looms at St Christopher's

Derek Scanlon remained hopeful that the dispute could be resolved without recourse to industrial action.

“I would be very hopeful that during the three week period, we can work with unions and there is already a process in train with the WRC,” he stated.

“We always engage with unions,” Mr Scanlon added.

Mr Scanlon stated that the services provided to the users will not be compromised.

“Contingency plans have to be created. We are in regular contact with the HSE in relation to provisions being made in that regard. We had contingency plans in place before, with Covid being an example,” he commented.

“Without staff, we can’t have a service. We will be hoping to achieve the best outcome,” he added.