Fórsa members escalated ongoing industrial action at Oberstown Children Detention Campus today to a six-hour work stoppage. The action is due to a continuing dispute over resourcing and safe staffing at the campus.
Union members at the campus are engaged in a full work stoppage, which commenced at noon today (Tuesday 4th August) and is the first in a series of planned work stoppages in August. Today’s action continues until 6pm.
The ongoing industrial action follows a ballot of Fórsa members, concluded in May, backing industrial action, up to and including a full withdrawal of labour. Oberstown staff have been engaged in a work-to-rule action since 25th June.
Oberstown management has been notified of further work stoppages as follows:
- Tuesday 11th August 2026, 12 noon to 8pm
- Tuesday 18th August 2026, 12 noon to 10pm
- Tuesday 25th August 2026, 12 noon to midnight
Fórsa assistant general secretary Deirdre O’Connell Hopkins said industrial action will continue indefinitely: “This action became unavoidable in the context of ongoing capacity challenges at Oberstown. Safe staffing is the goal here. Until that’s achieved, the health and safety of residents and staff continue to be compromised,” she said.
Ms O’Connell Hopkins said Fórsa has advised Oberstown management that it has reserved the right to review, amend and further escalate the action, up to and including additional work stoppages or a further withdrawal of labour.
Fórsa has also advised Oberstown that representatives remain available to meet management for talks about resolving the dispute, and to secure safe staffing at the campus.
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