Agreement on TUPE in St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services follows industrial action
Trade union members and the management of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on James Street, Dublin 8, have reached a Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) agreement on the transfer of household and catering services to other providers following a public campaign by union members. SIPTU represented over 100 members in the dispute.
SIPTU Organiser, Aideen Carberry said: “SIPTU members in the household and catering services conducted a public demonstration outside the hospital on 7th February and voted in favour of strike action at the hospital, in opposition to the transfer of the services. Following the action, talks between union representatives and management were conducted under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
“Following lengthy negotiations in late February, agreement was reached on the transfer of household services to BidVest Noonan and catering services to Q Cafe. This agreement has been accepted by 78% of the SIPTU members who voted in the ballot of all those affected.
“The agreement has several clauses that are crucial to our members. These include the establishment of a new defined contribution pension scheme with the same contribution rates from the new employers as were paid by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. Union recognition is protected with time allowed for shop stewards to perform their duties.
“There will also be a transfer payment for all affected staff as well as protection of their existing terms and conditions of employment and location of work.”
She added: “There can be no doubt that this agreement could not have been achieved were it not for the industrial campaign pursued by our members in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services. The agreement is more beneficial to members than would normally be achieved under a TUPE arrangement.”
