The balloting of SIPTU Health members on the Lansdowne Road proposals is underway and information meetings are taking place around the country.
Speaking to SIPTUhealth.ie Divisional Organiser Paul Bell said: “After consulting our members we took the decision to host information meetings around the country to help our Shop Stewards campaign for a YES vote on the Lansdowne Road proposals. We also did this to ensure every member uses their vote before the July 22nd,
It is very important that our members have the opportunity to fully inform themselves about the agreement before they cast their vote.”
So far, we have taken the conversation to Tipperary, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Donegal. Our Shop Stewards have been very constructive and engaged throughout our Better Health Care, Better Jobs campaign and they have taken that commitment, passion and enthusiasm to our meetings.
What is very clear is our members know the proposals another step in the journey to recover what was taken from them during the economic crisis.That is the message our members are carrying loud and clear into workplaces across the country and that the recruitment of non-union members of the health service into the union is very important for any future negotiations.
SIPTU Shop Steward, Jane Reynolds told SIPTUhealth.ie she is hopeful the proposals will be well received by members she represents in her workplace.
“My view is this is a stepping stone towards better pay restoration. Our short term goal must be to get this modest increase back into the pockets of our members over the next two years.
Our SIPTU representatives can then go back to the negotiation table and hopefully get another increase in take home pay for members in the health service.”
SIPTU Health will be hosting meetings in Sligo, Tralee, Wexford next week.
