Job Evaluation for Local Authorities: Ballot for Industrial Action
Do you work in city or councils? Then this is your chance to make sure you’re paid for the work you actually do. Vote YES for job evaluation for local authorities.
We’re calling for an independent job evaluation scheme for our members working in local authorities. But because the Local Government Management Agency refuses to negotiate, we’ve now reached the point where we’re balloting for industrial action.
The virtual ballot opened on Thursday 30th March 2023. In this post, we will provide all the information you need about the job evaluation and how to vote.
Please read the job evaluation FAQs and email us with any questions you at lgaction2023@forsa.ie.
Steps on how to vote:
Members working in local government and local services should have received an email containing their unique voter code.
Unlocking your ballot paper, and casting your vote:
1. Have a look in your email inbox for an email from lgaction2023@forsa.ie. That email should contain your unique voter code (UVC).
2. Access our dedicated webpage https://www.mi-vote.com/secure/forsa.
3. Once you access the webpage you will see instructions on how to vote and information about the deal. You should read the instructions carefully as you can only vote once, and you cannot change your vote later.
4. After you have read the instructions, you should enter your Unique Voter Code into the box towards the bottom of the screen. You can type your UVC into the box, taking care to use the correct characters, or you can simply copy the code from this email and paste it into the box on screen.
5. Once your UVC is in the box, you should click the button to “Continue”. You will be taken to your ballot paper where you can submit your vote.
6. On your ballot paper you should select the box that corresponds with how you wish to vote. If you want to receive an email that confirms your vote has been submitted, you should enter your email address in the “Email receipt” box at the bottom of the page. You won’t receive your receipt immediately, but it will normally be received within two working days.
Once you’ve selected your vote and entered your email address (if required), you should click the green button, “Next step” which will be visible towards the bottom of the screen.
7. You will be taken to a summary page that sets out how you have elected to vote. If you have chosen to receive an email receipt, you should see your email address in the box on-screen. Once you have reviewed your selections and you’re ready to cast your vote, you should click the button that reads: “Cast My Vote Now”.
If you’ve not received your UVC, but you’re a Fórsa member and believe you’re entitled to vote, please email lgaction2023@forsa.ie with details of who you are and where you work and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
How to participate in the virtual ballot and make sure your voice is heard
All members directly employed in city or county councils will be eligible to vote in the virtual ballot. Please make sure you update your contact details. You should have already received an email asking members for their up-to-date contact information. If you have not yet received this email, then email mymembership@forsa.ie with your employer, personal email, and contact number.
What is a job evaluation scheme and why are we calling for one?
Job evaluation is an established tool that allows the knowledge, skills and responsibilities associated with individual jobs – rather than grades or staff categories – to be assessed and appropriately rewarded. Fórsa has long sought a local authority job evaluation scheme similar to the one that operates in the HSE and the education sector.
The union believes that almost 10,000 council jobs were lost following the financial crisis. Services have only been maintained because staff had taken on additional responsibilities above their pay grades. There are also significant disparities in pay rates across the local government sector, with staff doing the same work paid more or less depending on which of the 31 councils they work for.
This is your chance to have your say!
Our preference is still to negotiate a solution with the employer to avoid industrial action. However, the decision to ballot was due to the “entrenched position of employers who are refusing to negotiate or conciliate” on the issue.
Don’t miss your chance to have your voice heard the work you do every day. Encourage your colleagues to stand up and help win a better deal.
If you’re not yet a member, join Fórsa today and stick together with your colleagues!
There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.