Key Issues and the Path Forward
In May, we surveyed Land Development Agency (LDA) staff to get a better understanding of the issues you face. In the survey, a clear pattern emerged of the major issues. This is what you and your colleagues told us:
- Pay – you want your pay to be aligned to public sector pay, including pay scales.
- Career progression – there are no clear pathways and a feeling of cronyism in decision making.
- Lack of transparency – in recruitment, pay, and promotions.
- Workplace culture – issues not being dealt with, policies not upheld uniformly.
These problems are not unique to the Land Development Agency and can be resolved by you and your colleagues coming together, making your voices heard and negotiating collectively. This is already the case in similar agencies and departments where employees are organised together as a union, enabling them to address these types of concerns.
We want to welcome those of you who have taken the first step towards securing a fairer, more transparent pay and grading scheme within the Land Development Agency by joining Fórsa. We have already had positive meetings with many LDA staff on a one-to-one basis outside of work, and we are available to meet other LDA colleagues.
Support from workers like you
At a recent union conference, delegates passed a motion to support Land Development Agency workers such as you fight to establish collective bargaining rights. These are delegates who work in very similar organisations who already enjoy the benefits of the collectively bargained national and employment-based pay increases, with established pay scales and workplace transparency.
You have the full support of the union in establishing collective bargaining rights that will allow us to negotiate fairer terms and transparent conditions for you and your colleagues.
Next steps in addressing your concerns
Importantly, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has invited Fórsa and the LDA to a conciliation conference this month.
As a result, we will keep the survey open to give everyone an opportunity to contribute to it ahead of this meeting. This is your chance to be heard so take the survey.
We understand that some colleagues feel there is a culture of fear and intimidation emanating from the top of the LDA. Rest assured that all your responses will be anonymised.
Please feel free to contact Fórsa at dfield [@] forsa.ie at any time with any issues or concerns you may have.