Fórsa members at Oberstown to take industrial action

Members of the Fórsa trade union working at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus will commence industrial action next week in a dispute over staffing, safety and capacity concerns.

From Thursday 25 June, staff will implement a work-to-rule including a refusal to work beyond rostered or contracted hours, and a refusal to work overtime.

Fórsa said it has reserved its position in relation to further escalation following a ballot which saw members voting in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action.

Following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Fórsa said that management proposals did not provide a viable or operationally safe response to the issues raised.

The union said proposals put forward "were not grounded in operational reality" and did not adequately address the ongoing impact of staffing pressures on employees or the safe delivery of services.

"Members have repeatedly raised concerns that staffing shortfalls are placing unsustainable pressure on services and increasing risks in a challenging custodial environment for children and staff alike," said Fórsa official Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins.

"If it isn’t safe for staff, it cannot be safe for the young people in their care."

"Members have previously reported serious incidents at the facility, including assaults on staff and injuries requiring hospital treatment, in circumstances where staffing levels were stretched and operational demands intensified," Ms O’Connell Hopkins said.

Oberstown and the Department of Children have been contacted for comment.