Fórsa trade union, Ireland’s second largest union, and the largest union representing public service workers in Ireland, will be among the 1,700 exhibitors at the National Ploughing Championships, which kicks off today (Tuesday) at Ratheniska, Co. Laois.
Fórsa represents more than 85,000 workers across Ireland’s health, civil service, local government, education, state agencies, community and voluntary and private sectors. It’s Fórsa’s first time to have a stand at the event, which is expected to attract more than 270,000 visitors over the next three days.
Fórsa President Martin Walsh said the union’s presence at the championships is an important opportunity to engage with Fórsa members attending and working at the event, and to meet potential members: “Fórsa’s mission is to stand up for workers throughout the country, and we welcome every opportunity to spread the union’s message on advocating for better public services, good work-life balance, equality, and fair wages for all,” he said.
Fórsa’s director of campaigns Grace Williams added: “The 2023 National Teagasc Farm Survey revealed that 60% of farm households had off-farm employment, with 42% of farmers themselves working off the farm.
“This essentially reveals a significant overlap of the concerns and interests of PAYE workers and small farmers. It undermines assumptions about a clash of interests between urban and rural working people.
“Fórsa’s attendance at the National Ploughing Championships provide a crucial opportunity for the union to engage with people who work across agriculture and public services, and about our work to improve worker incomes and employment conditions,” she said.
The National Ploughing Championships returns to Ratheniska for the third successive year and takes place from today (Tuesday) 17th September, continuing until Thursday (19th). Fórsa will be at stand number seven in the Education and Business Hub.
There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.