Up to eight staff involved in workplace dispute at Laois arts centre - Forsa union
Dunamaise Arts Centre says it it taking matters seriously and reviewing concerns
Up to eight staff in the Dunamaise Arts Centre are embroiled in a workplace dispute, with two reportedly having left their jobs over it.
The Fórsa union which represents public servants, has confirmed that the employer of the publicly owned Laois arts centre in Portlaoise had recently “walked away” from negotiations facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
However the CEO of the Dunamaise Arts Centre said it is taking the matters seriously, and is reviewing concerns.
Union representative Niall Shanahan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that seven to eight staff are involved in the dispute.
“Fórsa’s view here is that it’s important to ensure that stakeholders, including the community that uses the arts centre, be made aware of the difficulties staff at the centre have faced.
“This involves seven or eight staff. Two of them have since left since new management took over. We are taking this very seriously. A small group of staff have expressed very grave concerns about what is happening. It seems to have become a really quite unpleasant workplace.
“The union’s objective is to ensure that the staff at the centre have their dignity at work protected, as they take great pride in the work they do, and the centre plays a crucial role in the cultural life of County Laois and beyond,” Mr Shanahan said.
Forsa claims that there is “a deteriorating workplace environment and emerging risks for a publicly funded cultural institution”.
Fórsa says it represents several current and former staff at the centre and has been actively advocating on their behalf.
The union has outlined concerns relating to the alleged withdrawal of reasonable accommodations for neurodivergent employees, failures in basic HR processes, and potential non-compliance with employment and equality obligations.
The union has also claimed that there is a pattern of reduced programming and cancelled events, warning of reputational damage and declining public confidence if issues are not addressed.
Fórsa official Padraig Mulligan said the union has called for urgent intervention and oversight.
“The situation for staff has been very difficult, and their concerns are not alone for themselves, but also for the impact on audiences, artists and other service users. There are potential implications both in terms of governance and service delivery in a publicly funded arts venue.”
The CEO of the Dunamaise Arts Centre gave the following statement.
“Dunamaise Arts Centre takes any matters relating to staff welfare, governance and organisational practice seriously.
“Where concerns are raised, they are reviewed through the appropriate internal processes and in line with our legal, HR and governance obligations with due care for all involved.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on individual employment matters.
“As a publicly funded arts centre, Dunamaise remains focused on serving artists, audiences and the wider community, while ensuring that the organisation is managed in a fair, transparent and sustainable way.”
The issue is to be raised at the Laois County Council monthly meeting on Monday, June 29.
Forsa say that this follows formal correspondence it sent to Laois County Council management, county councillors, the Arts Council and the centre’s board of management.