Fórsa members at Oberstown to resume strike action

Members of the Fórsa trade union employed at Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin are to stage a three-day strike from Monday, 5 October, in an escalation of their dispute over staffing levels.

Industrial action had been paused following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in August but Fórsa has accused Oberstown management and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality of failing to honour the agreement that was reached.

Fórsa official Deirdre O'Connell said the failure to fully implement the WRC agreement, and a subsequent failure to engage with the union on the issue, had undermined its members confidence in the process, and left the issues at the heart of the dispute - including safe staffing levels and resourcing at the campus - unresolved.

"The escalation to a 72-hour work stoppage reflects the seriousness of the situation and the absence of meaningful progress in resolving the dispute," Ms O'Connell said.

"This action is being resumed because commitments made at the WRC have not been fully honoured."

"Our members paused their industrial action in good faith to allow space for agreement, but that goodwill has not been reciprocated," she added.

Fórsa said it remains available for meaningful talks but also reserves the right to issue notice of further or continued escalation of industrial action if the matter remains unresolved.

The Department of Children said it notes with disappointment that Fórsa has issued notice of industrial action.

A department spokesperson said Oberstown management has upheld the WRC agreement and continues to support its implementation in full as defined.

"The stoppage, scheduled to take place over a 72-hour period, would in practice result in children being locked into their rooms, continuously, for approximately 84 hours," the department said.

"This would represent a deeply serious risk to the rights, care, welfare and wellbeing of children in Oberstown's care, many of whom have complex needs and require support, structure and routine.

"Oberstown and the department have sought the support of the WRC in the context of Fórsa's breach of the agreement," the department said.

Oberstown management said it regrets that Fórsa has served notice of industrial action, and that it is concerned the escalation does not align with the terms of the agreement reached through the WRC process.

"Oberstown management and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are of the view that the proposed 72-hour stoppage would be in breach of the agreement," a spokesperson said.

"Oberstown has sought the support of the WRC in this regard."

"Oberstown fully recognises the important work carried out by staff and the challenging nature of the environment in which they work."

"However, any escalation of industrial action in a children detention setting must also be considered in the context of the safety, welfare, care and rights of the young people in Oberstown's care, as well as the safety and wellbeing of staff and all those on campus."

"Oberstown is urging Fórsa to honour the terms of the WRC agreement, withdraw notice of the proposed 72-hour work stoppage, and engage through the agreed processes to resolve any issues," Oberstown said.