Talks go to the wire in Section 39 workers strike threat – Lowry

A hoped-for resolution that would prevent a 24-hour Strike today (Tuesday) by up to 5,000 Community and Voluntary Sector Agency workers had not been reached or made known at 2.30 a.m. this morning.

Discussions paused earlier in the night, but both sides agreed to resume, stating that they were set to continue over the following hours.

Talks began at 2p.m. on Monday between Government representatives and Fórsa, SIPTU and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. By 9pm there was still no indication there would be sufficient progress for the three Unions involved to defer the start of the Strike Action.

Around the country as the night wore on, those who depend on the services and assistance of these workers in order the carry out basic daily tasks were distraught with worry over the outcome of these talks. They did not know what the morning would bring.

One of the largest organisations to be impacted, Enable Ireland, which provides services to upwards of 13,000 adults and children at 40 centres around the country, said it anticipates that there will be significant disruption if the 24-hour Strike goes ahead, leading to the closure of many of their services around the country.

Groups representing people who have disabilities, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association, expressed mounting concern around the possible withdrawal of services which would leave the most vulnerable people without the lifeline they depend on.

Yet they, like the other groups involved, feel they must take a stance in order to finally have their voices heard. They feel they have been left without any other choice.

Staff who care for such vulnerable people have no wish to abandon them. It is their natural instinct as carers to be there for those who need them. They feel forced into this action as a last resort due to prolonged broken promises to increase their pay on par with their HSE counterparts.

While their work is funded by the HSE, they receive less than HSE employees (up to €4.20 per hour less in many cases) and they feel strongly that this gap in payment must be addressed.

Community and Voluntary organisations staff, generally referred to collectively as section 39 workers, hire staff based on the funding they are allocated. However this funding falls way short of the wage these workers should be receiving.

Their pay was historically aligned with their HSE counterparts. However, during the recession years, pay cuts were imposed on both Section 39 and HSE staff.

While pay for HSE staff was restored, funding has never been allocated to cover pay restoration for non-HSE staff.

‘Paying Agency Staff up to €4.20 per hour less than those employed directly by the HSE for the same level of work is grossly unfair and unjustifiable’ says Deputy Lowry.

‘I support these workers wholeheartedly and have raised this issue in the past in the Dáil. I have heard all the unfulfilled promises that have been made to them. I know how worn down and frustrated they feel and who could blame them?

‘Community and Voluntary Agency staff work hard just as their HSE counterparts do. Their work is often carried out under very difficult and challenging circumstances. Without their dedication to their work the option of living with some degree of independence for many people with disabilities would be impossible.

‘Last week's Budget failed to deliver on the long-standing issue of Equality and Pay-Parity for Section 39 workers. This was despite warnings of Strike Action if their voices were not heard. This was the final straw for them.

‘Agreement to pay them a fair and equitable wage is critical for Section 39 workers. It is of equal importance for disabled and inform people across the country and for the future of all involved in the Community and Voluntary Sector agencies’