Fórsa | Flight Attendant

Aviation Cabin Crew Assistant Industrial Officer

About Fórsa

Fórsa stands as a leading membership-led trade union, dedicated to empowering workers and fostering positive change in their professional lives. The organisation champions worker power by actively engaging every individual within the jobs and workplaces it represents. As an employer, Fórsa is committed to embodying its core union values, offering an exceptional work environment with competitive benefits, and a strong emphasis on professional development and employee well-being.

The Opportunity

Fórsa is seeking an energetic, motivated, and empathetic individual with strong organising skills and a comprehensive understanding of the aviation industry to join its dynamic cabin crew team as an Assistant Industrial Officer. This pivotal role is based at Fórsa’s Dublin office in Woodford Business Park, Santry, Dublin 17, and offers a unique opportunity to directly impact the lives of aviation professionals.

Role Overview

The Cabin Crew Assistant Industrial Officer will be instrumental in strengthening Fórsa’s influence and membership density within the aviation sector. The successful candidate will achieve this by collaborating closely with workplace representatives, lay leaders, and members to identify and address critical issues affecting workers in their designated area. This role operates under the expert guidance of an Assistant General Secretary or Industrial Officer within a broader, supportive Divisional team. The Assistant Industrial Officer is expected to actively contribute to Fórsa’s positive and healthy workplace culture through collaborative teamwork and mutual support.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Recruitment & Organising

• Strengthen membership density and significantly contribute to the union’s strategic growth objectives by proactively recruiting new members.
• Provide essential assistance to branch leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective organising strategies and recruitment campaigns.
• Identify emerging leaders within the membership and empower them through robust support for organising activities, including issue-based organising initiatives.
• Support branch activists, workplace leaders, and representatives in conducting thorough workplace mapping and detailed mapping exercises relevant to specific employments and sectors.
• Promote and enhance greater membership participation in the essential affairs of the union.
• Assist in the meticulous coordination of diverse member engagement activities, such as member meetings, activist training programmes, surveys, events, and workplace inductions.
• Support branch activists, workplace leaders, and representatives in ensuring the accuracy and currency of members’ data and facilitating regular, effective communication with members.
• Utilise the membership database system (Solas) for efficient organising and communication purposes, and assist with the precise updating of records.
• Assist with the preparation of comprehensive reports, professional submissions, and other relevant documentation as required.

Negotiation, Representation, & Advocacy

• Offer expert advice to members, operating under the clear guidance or direction of the Industrial Officer or Assistant General Secretary, and in necessary liaison with the relevant branch.
• Conduct straightforward industrial relations meetings, expertly representing members with management through workplace negotiations and advocacy, under the clear guidance or direction of the Industrial Officer/Assistant General Secretary and in necessary liaison with the relevant branch.
• Continuously develop and deepen an understanding of collective agreements, pertinent legislation, EASA regulations, and other rights and conditions directly relevant to the assignment.

Management and Projects

• Provide regular, formal, and informal updates and strategic recommendations for the assigned area.
• Contribute actively to union projects, impactful campaigns, and strategic initiatives, including Fórsa's comprehensive five-year strategic plan.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks and duties relevant to the role as assigned.

Compensation & Benefits

Fórsa offers a highly competitive remuneration package. The initial salary for this position commences on the first point of the grade 5 public service scale:

As part of Fórsa’s commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, excellent benefits are provided, including:

• A career average pension scheme.
• Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work options.
• A comprehensive range of financial and practical supports for professional development.

Team Environment

The Assistant Industrial Officer will report directly to the Assistant General Secretary responsible for cabin crew matters. All divisional employees are accountable to their Head of Division and the General Secretary of the union. This role involves close collaboration with fellow Industrial Officers, Assistant Industrial Officers, administrative staff, and colleagues from various teams such as Membership and Communications, fostering a highly interconnected and supportive work environment.

Location & Travel

This position is based at Fórsa's Dublin office in Woodford Business Park, Santry, Dublin 17.

Frequent travel to various work locations and Fórsa offices throughout Ireland is an essential requirement of the role, with an anticipation of 10-20 overnights per year. The assignment necessitates the use of a car; therefore, candidates must hold a valid, full driving license and have consistent access to a car while employed as an Assistant Industrial Officer. Travel and Subsistence payments will be processed in line with Civil Service rates and conditions.

Candidate Profile: About You

Essential Skills & Attributes

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record and demonstrated proficiency in the following areas:

• Communication: Well-developed active listening skills, the ability to write and speak effectively and persuasively, empathy and capability to support individuals in challenging situations, and a strong aptitude for establishing rapport with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Organising: Extensive experience in organising workers, community groups, or civic organisations, coupled with a history of successful campaign involvement and a talent for identifying, developing, and empowering leaders.
• Leadership and Team Working: Demonstrated initiative and strong self-motivation, along with a reputation as a reliable team player known for flexibility, creativity, and unwavering support for colleagues.
• Negotiation and Advocacy: Highly developed negotiation and advocacy skills, a keen interest in economic and social issues impacting working people in Ireland, and a clear, demonstrated commitment to trade unionism or social justice through previous work or community engagement.
• Planning and Administration: Advanced organisational, time management, and IT skills to effectively accomplish ambitious goals and manage responsibilities efficiently.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

While not strictly necessary, candidates possessing the following qualifications or experience will be highly regarded:

• Held an official leadership role (either paid or voluntary) within an organising and campaigning organisation.
• Experience and a solid understanding of trade unions or other relevant membership-based organisations.
• A clear understanding of industrial relations principles and representation practices.
• Familiarity with EASA regulations or a demonstrated willingness and capacity to quickly navigate and stay updated on relevant regulatory frameworks within aviation.
• Knowledge of the operations and structures of aviation companies or a proven willingness and capacity to rapidly develop new industry-specific knowledge.

Commitment to Diversity

Fórsa actively welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including those with diverse professional experience across the trade union, public, private, or non-profit sectors. A demonstrated commitment to the core values of trade unionism, social justice, a robust public service, and workers’ empowerment is considered essential. Fórsa operates an equal opportunities policy and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital or family status, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or membership in the Traveller community.

To Apply

Prospective candidates are invited to complete the application form by 13 October 2025 at 5:00 PM. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted at Fórsa's Dublin city centre headquarters on Friday, October 17th.