Let’s get out the vote!
Below you’ll also find some short, simple messages you can use in conversations or messages with your colleagues, on why they should vote and why they need to join Fórsa.
These are for anyone who wants to talk to their colleagues about the ballots but aren’t sure where to start.
There are also meetings being held so you can get more information face to face or online.
Why is the ballot happening?
Because the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy replaced the recruitment embargo in name, but the impact is the same.
You and your colleagues know this better than anyone, as the survey of members showed. Over 4,000 of you responded to the ‘Unfilled jobs – unseen consequences” survey, and the message was clear: services are suffering and it’s getting worse.
1000s of jobs are now gone under the Pay and Numbers Strategy. HSE Senior Management expect you to cover up the gaps in services this will leave and somehow keep providing high-quality, frontline services.
What is the solution?
The Pay and Numbers Strategy cannot be allowed to be a ‘done deal’. HSE employees through their unions were not consulted and that has to change. Staff deserve transparency and a voice in the decision-making process.
The simple math is that there must be enough staff to provide the services this country actually needs.
There is no point pretending the needs of this country aren’t growing. We must have realistic workforce planning that puts the right resources in the right places. And we need more direct hires, rather than outsourcing to agencies and private consultants.
The HSE has entered a process of chaotic downsizing, with arbitrary decisions being made regarding the non-filling of critical frontline positions. This has to stop.
We need a health service built for patients and communities, that respects and supports the staff that make that happen.
Why should they vote?
It is extremely simple to vote, so why not do it? Take the 20 seconds to have your voice heard. You have so much to gain from it, and a lot to lose if you don’t. You should have an email about it already, explaining how to vote and more information about it.
The more people vote, the more powerful you all are. Some people think that maybe one vote doesn’t matter. But actually, if not enough people don’t come out and vote, then your employer might think these issues don’t matter to the workforce. We know that’s not true, so don’t give them any chance to pretend it is!
It’s not fair to leave it all up to your colleagues. Trade unions are built on the principle of solidarity. When you cast your vote, you’re not only speaking for yourself but also for your colleagues who face similar challenges.
Why non-trade union members need to join Fórsa now!
- Joining now means you can vote in the ballot, so you can decide what’s right for you, not others deciding on your behalf.
- It comes down to some basic facts – the more of us in the union, the more likely we are to win. Trade union membership is by the far the most effective way to make change happen in workplaces.
- There are also a huge amount of savings available for trade union members, from salary protection and insurance schemes, to financial supports when illness strikes. You can find out more about the benefits of joining Fórsa here.
- You also get access to legal advice, support during disputes, and a variety of resources to help navigate your career. But we can’t support you with issues from before you join. So don’t wait until it’s too late!
If you have more questions, then reach out to your Fórsa workplace representative or your local branch. You an also email the ballot helpdesk at hwhelp@forsa.ie.
Don’t leave others speak for you… Join Fórsa so you can vote on your job, your career, your rights!