06/12/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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Report shows major pay gap between Health Care Assistants in public and private employment

A new report from the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) has revealed a significant pay gap between the earnings of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in the public and private sectors in some European countries, including Ireland.

The Report, Wage Watch: A Comparative Study of Health Care Assistant and Nurse Wages Across Europe, drew from the expertise of affiliate trade unions from fifteen European countries. As the Union of Health Care Assistants in Ireland, SIPTU contributed to the study. When all payments are factored in, the Report found a 30% wage gap between HCAs employed in public and private settings in Ireland.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Sharon Cregan, said: “The EPSU report vindicates what SIPTU has been saying for years. There is a big disparity in pay between public and private healthcare for HCAs. The Report seems to indicate that it is not just an issue in Ireland.

“Current starting pay for a HCA commencing employment in the public service is €16.92 per hour and this rises to €21.39 per hour when they reach the top of their incremental pay scale. In theory, a HCA in the private sector could earn as little as minimum wage which is currently set at €12.70 per hour.

“Private healthcare employments are often hostile to trade unions, resulting in workers within such employments having no access to collective bargaining. Without collective bargaining, they lack effective means of securing decent pay rates and enhanced terms and conditions of employment.”

Cregan added: “SIPTU has continuously called for a collective means of addressing pay in the private nursing home and home care sectors. We are also calling for HCAs in all settings and employments to be recognised and adequately remunerated for the essential role they play within the healthcare system.”

HCAs in the public service have seen their annualised salary increase by approximately 24% between 2016 and 2023. They are due further pay increases on annualised salary under the current Public Service Pay Agreement of more than a cumulative 5% up to June 2026.

You can access more information on the report here.

03/12/2024 Comments are off SIPTU Health Admin
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SIPTU to consult Section 39 Organisation members on industrial action on pay claim

SIPTU is to begin a process of consultation with members in Section 39 Organisations concerning industrial action over the issue of Government inaction in relation to a longstanding pay claim in the sector.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Damian Ginley, said: “Despite several soundbites from senior people in the Government claiming that they fully support our members’ pay claim, the same leaders refuse to give a mandate to the appropriate funding Department officials to address this long-standing issue.

“Actions speak louder than words. Unfortunately, the complete inaction by the Government over the last 12 months to address this matter at the Workplace Relations Commission has led to our decision to consult with members on the next steps in their campaign for pay justice.

“Over the next few days, our members will consider all available options open to them, including ballots for industrial action to progress their legitimate pay claim. The members involved staff in vital disability GP Out of Hours and home support services across the country.”

He added: “Members are acutely aware that during the last economic crisis, their pay was slashed because of a Government decision. In contrast, the Government has now spent years refusing to address their claim for pay parity with those delivering similar services directly employed by the State. The lack of respect shown to our members is obvious.

“This course of action is about achieving our members’ right to decent pay for the important work they do on behalf of the State, which includes protecting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

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