Mayo healthcare workers threaten industrial action over pay inequality

WORKERS in Western Care, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Cheshire Homes and Rehab could resort to industrial action due to an ongoing dispute over pay inequality.

Deborah Reynolds, Assistant Industrial Organiser with SIPTU, told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday, October 14) that Section 39 and Section 56 workers could use industrial action ‘as a last resort’ unless they are given pay parity with HSE workers.

Organisations employing Section 39 and Section 56 workers have complained of staff leaving to work directly for HSE because of better pay and conditions.

Last October, strike action was called off in the early hours of the morning after an eight percent increase in wages was agreed between unions and the HSE last October. Workers in these sectors last had a pay increase in 2008.

Unions had sought a higher rate of increase due to the increased cost of living, but talks subsequently broke down.

Section 39 and Section 56 workers from various organisations demonstrated outside of Mayo County Council’s offices yesterday (Monday) to highlight the issue during the council’s monthly meeting.

Castlebar-based Independent councillor Harry Barrett brought the matter to the council chamber, where he tabled a motion calling for councillors to support the workers’ demands.

“These workers are the backbone of the disability sector in our county, and yet they are being treated very unfairly when it comes to their pay,” stated Cllr Barrett.

“Despite facing the same regulations and undergoing the same training as HSE staff, they are paid less for doing the same work. This situation is unacceptable, and to make matters worse, the Government has walked away from talks on this critical issue.

“This is yet another example of how the disability sector in Ireland is treated like a Cinderella service – underfunded and undervalued,” he added.

Cllr Barrett also called on the Minister for Health to ensure that the HSE returned to negotiations with unions over the matter.

Western Care employs the highest number of Section 39 and Section 56 workers in Mayo, with approximately 1,000 employees.

Ms Reynolds said that provisions would be made for service users in the event of strike action.