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Oberstown statement on Forsa notice of 72-hour work stoppage

September 29, 2026

Oberstown regrets that Fórsa has served notice of a recommencement of industrial action at the campus, including a 72-hour work stoppage from Monday 5 October to Thursday 8 October.

Oberstown is concerned that this escalation does not align with the terms of the agreement reached through the Workplace Relations Commission process.

The WRC agreement provided for an immediate pause to industrial action following acceptance of the proposal by Fórsa members. It also provided that the parties would not engage in further industrial action in respect of the matters contained in the proposal, and that any dispute during the lifetime of the agreement, or about the agreement itself, would first be addressed locally, then with the assistance of the WRC, and, if appropriate, through final referral to the Labour Court.

On that basis, Oberstown management and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are of the view that the proposed 72-hour stoppage would be in breach of the agreement. Oberstown has sought the support of the WRC in this regard.

Claims that the business cases arising from the WRC process are not being progressed are incorrect. Oberstown management and the Department have invested significant time and effort in preparing and submitting the business cases to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

The Department of Public Expenditure is actively reviewing the business cases and has requested further information and updates to support its decision-making. The level of detail provided through the process has already resulted in progress, including approval of delegated sanction for new hires.

Oberstown remains fully committed to implementing the WRC agreement. Our priority is to allow the business case process to continue and to secure an outcome as quickly as possible. We are concerned that renewed industrial action risks delaying progress on the very matters currently being considered through the business cases.

Oberstown fully recognises the important work carried out by staff and the challenging nature of the environment in which they work. However, any escalation of industrial action in a children detention setting must also be considered in the context of the safety, welfare, care and rights of the young people in Oberstown’s care, as well as the safety and wellbeing of staff and all those on campus.

Oberstown is urging Fórsa to honour the terms of the WRC agreement, withdraw notice of the proposed 72-hour work stoppage, and engage through the agreed processes to resolve any issues.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) has issued a statement on the matter:

  • The Industrial Action notified by Fórsa is in direct breach of the specific terms of the negotiated agreement, reached in the WRC on 28 August and signed by all parties:
    • “All parties agree to promote good industrial relations and employee engagement pending the outcome of both Departments’ decision with respect to the business case/s, including an immediate pause to industrial action, inclusive of the current work to rule instruction, once this proposal is agreed in principle by the parties and accepted by our Forsa members.”
    • “The parties agree not to engage in further Industrial Action with respect to the matters contained in this proposal. Should there be a dispute during the lifetime of this agreement or about the agreement itself, the parties agree to discuss the matter locally in the first instance, subsequently seek the assistance of the WRC and final referral to the Labour Court if appropriate. The parties commit to undertake this process and not to instigate or escalate to Industrial Action until such a time as these processes have been exhausted in good faith by the parties.”
  • The stoppage, scheduled to take place over a 72-hour period, would in practice result in children being locked into their rooms, continuously, for approximately 84 hours.
  • This would represent a deeply serious risk to the rights, care, welfare and wellbeing of children in Oberstown’s care, many of whom have complex needs and require support, structure and routine.
  • The Department and Oberstown management fully respect the right of staff to engage in lawful industrial action. However, children in care should not bear the consequences of an industrial dispute through increased isolation, confinement or other restrictive practices.
  • In response to Fórsa’s statement, the Department wishes to clarify that management submitted business cases to this Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) on or before the week of 22 September.  This is fully in line with the Agreement.
  • While the Agreement did not commit to a specific outcome in respect of the business cases, or a deadline for decision, this Department has continued to engage positively and proactively with DPER as they evaluate and query the business case detail.
  • The Department has updated Fórsa on progress regarding the business cases, including in writing on both 10 and 25 September. 
  • Despite this, the Department notes with disappointment that Fórsa has issued notice to Oberstown today, 28 September, advising of the upcoming industrial action by members.
  • This action is premature, given the terms of the Agreement and updates on progress communicated by management to the union to date.
  • Management has upheld the Agreement and continues to support its implementation in full as defined. 
  • Oberstown and the Department have sought the support of the WRC in the context of Fórsa’s breach of the Agreement.