Public Pay Talks - see mod warning post 4293

What I heard is before Christmas, Siptu, Unite, Connect and the Irish Universities Association asked DFHERIS for 1% to be applied across the board for local bargaining, DPER said no because it had to be bargained locally. DPER were happy with Forsa's bargaining, IUA probably want to give 1% to all groups so each institution doesnt have to negotiate a deal with admin, academic, technical, trades etc for 1%.

There is a recruitment crisis for certain sectors due to poor wages and some of the intent of local bargaining is to improve those wages. Top of scale changes can attract people looking at something as a long term job for instance.

just the civil service bulletin with what was agreed

https://forsatradeunion.newsweaver.com/designtest/pl5jib1ob9h?lang=en&a=1&p=66396361&t=30063856

There are negotiations for the HSE etc. the below is a section from the local bargaining offer received in November. The original claim specifically referenced the Grades 4 to 7 in the HSE but whether it happens in the 1% backdated to September or the 2% to be negotiated from June I don't know.

An offer in principle has been made in the civil service for executive officers, administrative officers and higher executive officers. These grades are in the same cross sectoral bargaining unit as grade 4-7 roles in the public sector, however as the pay scales are of an entirely different construct, a separate offer will be made across the other sectors in respects to grades 4-7.

Looks like it's only for AP/PO Higher scales.

Damn Standards scales!

Why am I learning about this deal on an online forum? I am a member of AHCPS but unsurpringsly I was not asked for a view, or told about it directly. I need to assess my membership.

if you look. back on discussions nobody can tell who is the representative for the AHCPS, at least FORSA have regular contact and voting. I have never got anything, I even rang and was told someone would be in contact. Loads of us have discussed this in larger Departments and no one knows a proper contact, I have talked to at least 12 PO/AP and no one has a clue. No one has been asked to vote on anything. No one knows of any mailing list, I can see Forsa lists alright but nothing for AHCPS.

Where did you see it was only for AP and PO higher? I couldn't see that.

The AHCPS spring update clarified it (following a piece on the Feb increase):

“The other major pay issue has been the agreement with The Official Side regarding 1% Local Bargaining due from September 2025. As you may have seen circulars issue last year and the Official Side issuing a circular earlier this week outlining the agreement is now in place. For those who don’t know, the PCW is a late 1990’s agreement giving effect to Higher Scales for our grades. The fund prior to this agreement was 1% and from September 2025 the fund increases to 2%. This amounts to a doubling of the fund and we would expect a significant increase in the number of higher scales to be awarded as a result. The agreement relates to only the fund, all other ancillary issues around HS remain the same and are subject to our agreement with individual departments. For any queries, please contact your full time official.”

Has anyone at HEO Higher Scale LS2 Max scale received the September increase yet? Or are they still processing that?

I got the Feb 1st increase recently, but no sign of the Sept. top of scale increase, which I think I'm due for.

The Forsa website has it included in their pay scales as far as I can see.

Thanks.

Yes, I got the 2 increases in last paycheck. The arrears was €435.30 if that's any help. My pay slip is also showing top of the scale increase.

with a lack of tax bands/credits indexing and the war in middle east most likely going to send prices sky high again any news on next round of public sector pay talks - june is only round the corner

It is not just the higher scales as I understand it.

The Max of each scale gets it.

There are also scale point skips for those who are newer to the grade and so they will reach the max sooner.

The benefit of the max of the scales receiving it is as an incentive to keep people long term.

For the employees it means that you have something to aim for, and you could be on the max of the scale for many years. It will also benefit your pension long term.