Oberstown workers picket Dept of Children over staffing

Workers at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus have commenced a protest outside the Department of Children, engaging in an ongoing industrial relations dispute. This picket, organized by the Fórsa union, coincides with a 10-hour work stoppage at the campus in Dublin, marking the third industrial action this month. The union's ballot of members has supported industrial action, including the potential full withdrawal of labor, due to reports of assaults on staff and injuries requiring hospital treatment from overworked staff.

The Fórsa union has expressed frustration, stating that efforts to engage with management on key issues have broken down. They have highlighted that Oberstown management has refused to include crucial elements of the union's claims in its business case to the Department of Children. These elements include addressing recruitment difficulties and acknowledging the insufficient resources allocated to local bargaining to resolve them.

Fórsa's assistant general secretary, Deirdre O’Connell, emphasized that the lack of sufficient resources stalls the resolution of the disputes, increasing risks to staff and residents' personal safety.

Oberstown acknowledged the regret over the work stoppage, stating disappointment that it occurs while engagement through the established industrial relations process continues. The facility emphasized its commitment to working constructively towards a resolution, having engaged extensively with staff representatives, including through the Workplace Relations Commission. Oberstown claims it has taken a proactive approach to strengthening frontline staffing.