A general meeting of workers in Roscommon County Council today has welcomed an agreement that will see flexi-time and flexi-leave available to workers at the council. The scheme will commence on a two-month trial, commencing on 16th July.
Fórsa trade union and SIPTU/LAPO, representing the overwhelming majority of workers at Roscommon County Council, reached an agreement with management at the Workplace Relations Commission yesterday.
Council workers took part in a fourth one-day stoppage on Tuesday (3rd July) this week. The industrial action was part of a long-running dispute over family-friendly working practices.
The agreement will see flexi-time and flexi-leave available to all workers up to grade 7, senior executive engineer and all analogous grades. The scheme will commence on a two-month trial, commencing on 16th July.
The agreement will see flexi-time and flexi-leave available to all workers up to grade 7, senior executive engineer and all analogous grades. The scheme will commence on a two-month trial, commencing on 16th July.
Peter Nolan, head of Fórsa’s Local Government and Services division, said: “We warmly welcome the commencement of the pilot scheme on 16th July.
“While it may not be a final destination, the national oversight group statement of 2nd July – on which the pilot scheme is based – represents a rubicon to which we will not be returning.”
Maurice Hearne, industrial organiser, SIPTU/LAPO commented: “This is a significant turning point in this long-running dispute. We welcome the opportunity for Roscommon County Council workers to be able to avail of family-friendly work policies on an equal footing with their colleagues in other local authorities across the country.”
Workers at the meeting expressed thanks to other union members in Fórsa, Siptu, Connect, Unite and Mandate, along with the support they received from international unions.
They also thanked local and national public representatives who supported them during the strike. Members singled out the Roscommon union leadership, Florie Hickey, Fiona Fallon and Padraig Mulligan for their courage and determination in the dispute.