Oberstown staff begin eight-hour work stoppage over safe staffing

Oberstown staff walk out

The action by Fórsa union members is the second in a series of planned weekly stoppages at the State's only children's detention centre, which sits at the sharp end of Ireland's detention system.

The stoppage follows the breakdown of talks between union negotiators and Oberstown management, who were unable to reach agreement “on key issues”, as RTÉ News reported.

The union said it was frustrated that no representative of the Department of Children attended. Further stoppages are planned for 18 and 25 August, following a ballot concluded in May that backed industrial action up to and including a full withdrawal of labour. Staff have observed a work-to-rule since 25 June.

Why Oberstown staff are striking

We agree with management that staff safety and the safety of the young people in Oberstown are inseparable. Unfortunately, talks have broken down because Oberstown is refusing to include key elements of our claim in the business case going to the department.

Fórsa national secretary Hazel Nolan said safe staffing at the campus had been “a long-standing concern” for staff, The Journal reported.

She said members needed “a genuine, long-term solution” and that the union could not enter a process it knew from the outset could not resolve its claim. Two further stoppages loom before the end of August.