Fórsa trade union issued the following statement today (Friday) in response to a small number of press queries:
“The first concern of health service workers is to protect and serve patients and clients. To this end, Fórsa has advised its members in the health service to rigorously follow and implement the HSE’s advice regarding the Coronavirus. While there have been no reports of problems in health settings so far, a union official is in daily contact with the HSE and the union is working with the employer to closely monitor the situation.
Fórsa has advised its members in the education sector to follow the HSE’s precautionary guidelines. The union has also asked the Department of Education and Skills to issue specific advice on what education workers can do to best ensure the safety of students and staff.
Fórsa has also met management at the Department of Employment and Social Protection on the matter. The department is being guided by the National Public Health Emergency Team, and is also making its own contingency plans for business continuity in the event of staff absences. The union has advised its members to keep abreast of departmental updates (which are posted twice a day), co-operate with instructions, and comply with hygiene advice.”
First published Friday 28th February 2020
Patricia King, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has written to the Taoiseach detailing the deepening concern about the implications for workers of the COVID-19 Virus, particularly on the issue of pay. Read the full letter HERE.
Added Thursday 5th March 2020