Oberstown Children Detention Campus staff to begin 72-hour strike

Care workers at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus are scheduled to begin a 72-hour strike starting at 12:01 am on Monday, October 5, until 12:01 am on Thursday, October 8. The industrial action, organized by the union Fórsa, follows the failure of management and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to meet an agreed deadline for submitting a business plan to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The dispute centers on concerns regarding safe staffing levels and workplace safety for both employees and the young people in the facility's care. Fórsa representatives stated that members had previously paused industrial action in good faith following talks with the Workplace Relations Commission in August, but claim that commitments made during those talks have not been honored.

Fórsa official Deirdre O’Connell noted that the escalation to a 72-hour stoppage reflects the seriousness of the unresolved staffing and resource issues. While the union remains open to further talks, it has warned of potential additional action if the dispute is not resolved. Oberstown management has previously disputed the union's claims, stating they have increased frontline staffing and seen a decrease in incidents.