Concern as Mayo Section 39 workers left waiting for promised pay hike

A Mayo TD has questioned the government regarding the failure to honour a pay agreement reaches last year with the Section 39 Health and community workers.

Deputy Rose Ciownay-Walsh stated: “An agreement was reached in October of last year between the Department of Health, the Department of Children and the SIPTU INMO and Forsa Trade Unions on behalf of these workers which included an 8% pay increase and for negotiations to continue regarding future pay movement.

“There are staff in some Section 39 organisations who have still not received the 8% pay increase, a year after the agreement was reached.

“Furthermore, negotiations on future pay movement have stalled resulting in these workers falling further behind their public service colleagues pay rates.

“Minister Rabbitte partially answered my question by saying that the HSE in each county had the money to pay the 8% but did not address the timeline for negotiations on future pay movement.

"I believe the government acted in bad faith. The deal was done. It is wholly unacceptable that the government now appears to be reneging on its promises to these valuable workers.

“A serious recruitment and retention crisis affected this sector last year due to the different pay rates. The WRC agreement was put in place to protect the most vulnerable in our society who depend on their care and safeguard the sector going forward.

“The government is leaving workers with little choice but to resort to industrial action once again. Those who rely on the vital services these workers provide will be severely impacted.

“This situation must be addressed immediately and I call on the government to re-enter negotiations and get this matter fully resolved.”