Deal in sight over FÁS decentralisation row

The end of industrial action at FÁS over decentralisation could be in sight, it emerged today.

SIPTU leaders will recommend members accept proposals made today by the Labour Relations Commission in a bid to defuse the row at a meeting on Monday.

The union’s Branch Organiser, Greg Ennis, said after this morning’s meeting that both sides had accepted the LRC proposals.

The union leadership will be recommending acceptance to the members at Monday’s meeting, due to be held in the FÁS head office at 4.30pm, he said.

If members vote to accept the LRC proposals further industrial action at the state training and employment agency will cease.

FAS staff have been engaged in a campaign of protest for the past few weeks, saying they are not interested in moving to Birr, Co Offaly.

They have also accused the agency of breaching the voluntary nature of decentralisation by limiting promotions to people who are willing to relocate.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney have admitted the decentralisation scheme is causing major concern at state agencies where staff cannot simply transfer to other departments as is the case with their colleagues in the civil service.