31/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU members concerned over National Ambulance Service move to Level 3 surge capacity

SIPTU and Irish Ambulance Representative Council (IARC) representatives have today (Friday, 31st December) expressed concerns over the decision to move to Level 3 surge capacity due to extreme pressure on the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny said: “Our members are working night and day to alleviate the pressure on the service and it is vital that the public do all they can to support them. The NAS has four levels of surge escalation. We are now at Level 3 which is quite rare. Nobody wants to go to Level 4. The Health Service Executive (HSE) must do all it can to prevent that from happening. The shortfall in capacity is stark and while the HSE can utilise external providers, like the army, fire service, voluntary and private services to help plug the gaps and fill the shortfalls in the immediate term, this is not a long term solution to the capacity issues facing our members and the NAS as a whole. We all know the pressures on the service have sharply increased over the last number of years, yet staffing levels and resources have not kept pace with the demand.”

Irish Ambulance Representative Council (IARC) Chairman, Peter Ray, said: “Our members are urging the public to consider all options before calling for an ambulance and that people should only call for an ambulance in emergency situations. Meanwhile, we wish all our members in the NAS who are currently out of work due to contracting Covid-19 a full and speedy recovery.”

23/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU Health Division: Christmas message

On behalf of our members, staff and activists I want wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Living and working with Covid throughout 2021 has challenged all of us and tested our health service to the absolute limit. That is why our Division has been entirely focused on supporting our members throughout this crisis and working with them to make sure there are brighter days ahead in 2022.

Between Thursday, 23rd December and Tuesday, 4th January, physical access to SIPTU offices will be limited due to public health restrictions. If anything urgent arises please contact your local representative or your union official.

Alternatively, you can email your query directly to the SIPTU Health Division HERE and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as we can. In the meantime, you can keep up with any important developments on the SIPTU Health App.

Once again thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to read our membership updates throughout 2021, Enjoy the festivities and stay safe.

Pictured: Temple Street’s Hospital Head Porter John Doyle and SIPTU member with Forsa members at the annual toy donation for Children’s Health Ireland

22/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Sectoral bargaining process underway across public service

A sectoral bargaining process is underway across the public service with a fund available to pay claims of 1% of basic pensionable pay during the lifetime of the Building Momentum Agreement.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “This fund will also deal with outstanding adjudications, recommendations and awards. This part of the agreement is being negotiated by Sectoral Bargaining Units. This process is currently underway and payments are due from 1st February 2022. Negotiations for a new public service agreement will start in the summer of 2022.

“Last October, SIPTU members received a 1% pay increase, or €500 a year boost in wages, whichever is the greater. This means that all public sector workers on lower incomes will receive a significantly larger percentage increase than higher paid staff.”

He added: “Substantial protective provisions were also copper fastened by Building Momentum and with the uncertainty the pandemic has brought about these measures are needed now more than ever. Overtime rates, and twilight shift premiums were also restored while a mechanism has been secured to deal with the additional unpaid hours worked by our members.”

17/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU members in St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services secure 4% pay increase

SIPTU members working in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) have today (Friday, 17th December) overwhelmingly endorsed pay proposals to improve pay and conditions at the facility.

The two year agreement negotiated between SIPTU and SPMHS management provides for an increase in pay worth up to 4%, with enhanced workplace protections until 2023.

SIPTU Health Organiser, Aideen Carberry, said: “It has been several years since our members have enjoyed real increases in pay at St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services. The reality is that our members have demonstrated extraordinary flexibility during the Covid-19 crisis and deserve this boost in earnings. Day in, day out they are on the frontline of mental health services delivering quality care to clients. We now look forward to future engagements with SPMHS to continuously improve the terms and conditions of our members that reflect their skills, commitment and dedication to the people they care for.”

15/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU expresses deep concerns over pressure on ambulance, fire and emergency services

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 15th December) expressed deep concerns over the high level of pressure on ambulance, fire and emergency services across the country. 

Speaking at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny said: “In order for a proper discussion to take place on the resources required for the State’s ambulance services, it is an absolute imperative that the recommendations of the NAS Capacity Review and any future reviews are fully resourced and implemented.”

We also raised the issues affecting our members in regard to meal breaks, extended duty and traveling large distances out of their geographical areas. The reality is 2000 staff and 100 new ambulances are needed to address the shortfalls along with an education program aimed at GP’s and the wider community on what the appropriate call to the ambulance service should be to help elevate the A&E waiting times.”

SIPTU Industrial Organiser for Dublin Fire Brigade, Geoff McEvoy, said: “The huge advances made by our members from the ground up are testament to our credibility in the area of improving the ambulance and fire based EMS service through the development of ambulance and fire personnel and services. However, a chronic shortage in both personnel and resources is adding significantly to the pressures on the service.”

To read the full submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health click here

13/12/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Pay proposals accepted at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

Union members working in the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, based in Dublin 2, have accepted new pay proposals by an overwhelming majority.

Members of SIPTU and the Irish Federation of University Teachers were balloted during November and voted by an overwhelming majority to accept an agreement, negotiated between management and their local union representatives which will run until September 2024.

The deal provides for an annual 2.5% increase on basic pay for all staff earning less than €100,000 with a minimum payment of €1,500 in the first year. The first phase of the increases, which is retrospective to 1st October 2021, will be paid this month.

SIPTU Organiser, Aideen Carberry, said: “This new three-year agreement guarantees our RCSI members increases in pay and job security. The fact that this agreement was reached locally is a testament to the resolve of union representatives to work collectively for the benefit of all members in the workplace.”

SIPTU Organiser, Cathie Shiels, said: “The results of this agreement speak for themselves and make clear the value of trade union membership.”

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