Section 39 healthcare workers to strike on Friday

SIPTU has announced that its members who work for Section 39 organisations across the country will strike this Friday (21 January).

The independent not-for-profit Section 39 sector provides services for many thousands of people with disabilities across Ireland. The sector also provide healthcare, elderly, youth, substance abuse, suicide prevention, social inclusion, education, community development and many other services in communities across the country.

On Friday, hundreds of care providers will strike in an attempt to settle a dispute on pay restoration. Speaking today, SIPTU Health Division Organiser Paul Bell said: "Strike action is the only option left open to our members to policy makers and those who fund the services to sit up and take notice. "SIPTU representatives have fought long and hard to win a pay restoration formula that could be applied across Section 39 organisations and the continued refusal of these organisations, aided and abetted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to vindicate their rights will not be tolerated by our members. "Our members in these organisations, all low paid workers, are falling further behind, having endured cuts in pay of approximately 6% and a reduction in their hours which has had a knock on effect on service users and their families. They now have been left with no option other than to take action on Friday." SIPTU contend that the amount of money needed to resolve this dispute is €7million. Staff from the following organisations will join the strike on Friday: • Valentia Hospital, Kerry • St Joseph’s Care Home Kilorglin Kerry • Delta Care • National Council of the Blind In Ireland • Western Alzheimer’s • St Mary Telford • Co-Action Bantry • South West Doctors • Dublin West Home Care Services • Terenure Home Care Services • Crumlin Home Care Services • Camphill (Wexford) • Galway Rape Crisis