Long-awaited 8% pay increase for Mayo Western Care workers confirmed

Section 39 workers employed by Western Care in Mayo have received confirmation of the provision of a substantial proportion of the funding for the pay hike they have sought for years.

This news has been welcomed by local Independent candidate, Harry Barrett.

He stated: "Management updated staff today in an email to say that they are hoping to be in a position to make the payments to existing staff in the payroll of May 24 nest and will write again to staff to confirm this date once it has been finalised."

In total the award will be broken down as follows:

Arrears from January 1 to April 28, 2024, will be paid and the new pay scales will be applied from April 29, 2024.

In total the increase will be 8.21%.

Barrett continued, "I am thrilled that finally Western Care staff and all Section 39 workers are at the end of their long wait for pay equality and restoration.

"I had called for this award to be made months ago and I'm delighted that it's it has finally come to pass.

"They have suffered for years with low pay and have been impacted severely by the cost of living crisis. This will go some way towards easing the pressure on them.

""While it is great to see this portion of the pay reward being resolved, the bigger issue of linking Section 39 pay with HSE rates still remains.

"Recent pay awards to HSE staff have left out Section 39 workers.

"Their demands for equal pay for equal work must be met."