13/08/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU says increasing pay not work permits will solve Health Care Assistants shortage

SIPTU representatives have called for a review of the rates of pay and the duties of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in response to a shortage of staff in the sector, rather than seeking to recruit workers from outside the European Economic Area to fulfil these roles.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Marie Butler, said: “SIPTU representatives are surprised by the call by the employers’ group, Home and Community Care Ireland, that the Government should provide work permits for workers from outside the European Economic Area so they can be employed as HCAs.

“We have already written to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, earlier this year on this issue. In this correspondence we highlighted that there are more than 47,500 people with the relevant qualification, at QQ1 Level 5, to be employed as HCAs. It is clear that large numbers of these qualified professionals are not working as HCAs and have instead sought alternative employment.

“This is due to the unsatisfactory working conditions which are still prevalent within the sector, in both residential facilities and home care settings. These poor conditions include low rates of pay, the use of minimum hour contracts and pressures resulting from a lack of staff. In the private home care sector we are aware of HCAs who are paid the minimum wage and are not reimbursed for their fuel costs or the time spent travelling between clients’ homes.

“What is needed to rectify this situation is a review of the conditions for workers in the sector and agreed improvements rather than seeking workers from outside the European Economic Area or, which has also been mooted, some form of bogus ‘self-employment ‘where  clients would dial in for home care services.

“In order to begin the process of developing a sustainable and professional sector, SIPTU has proposed to the Minister that the Labour Employer Economic Forum establish a subgroup involving all stakeholders, including unions and employers, to discuss the issues that have resulted in a shortage of HCAs. This group should then formulate a series of agreed measures to address the problem including establishing adequate rates of pay throughout the sector.”

She added: “Ireland stands at a crossroads in relation to the care of our elderly and other vulnerable people. We can have a sector staffed by workers in precarious, low paid employment which undoubtedly impacts on the standard of services. Alternatively, we can work together to develop a strategic approach that sees us develop a professional HCA role in both residential services and in the community.

“This would create a sector which attracts qualified professionals eager to participate in a rewarding occupation providing the highest quality of services.”

SIPTU representatives are awaiting a response from the Minister concerning their proposals.

06/08/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Health unions slam HSE’s “empty handed” approach to healthcare worker COVID compensation

Health service unions, including SIPTU, have strongly criticised the HSE for a lack of “tangible recognition” for healthcare workers’ role in the fight against COVID.

Talks were held at the Workplace Relations Commission on Thursday 5th August, but HSE representatives had no offer to make.

This was despite comments by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly last week in Limerick, where he said that he “definitely want[s] to see some form of recognition for the extraordinary work that they’ve all put in.”

Unions had sought some form of special recognition for healthcare staff, dating back to late 2020. Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have previously indicated that they would support some recognition.

Health service employers in France, Northern Ireland, Denmark and elsewhere have offered staff bonuses or pay increases in recognition of their work and sacrifices over the past year.

The unions have referred the matter to the Labour Court.

Tony Fitzpatrick, chair of the ICTU Staff Panel of Health Unions said:

“This is yet another disappointment in the long search for fair recognition. Last week the Minister for Health raised expectations that some tangible recognition was on the way, but today he sent his officials to talks empty handed.

“Healthcare workers have spearheaded the fight against the pandemic. They have worked far beyond their normal responsibilities, with thousands catching the virus in the line of duty.

“Morale in the health service is extremely low. There needs to be some hope of genuine reward for frontline staff. Other governments have recognised their healthcare workforce’s contribution meaningfully – yet here we are forced to fight for it.

“The health unions have collectively decided to refer the matter to the Labour Court.”

05/08/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU members in St Brigid’s vote overwhelmingly for strike action

SIPTU members working as care assistants and social care workers in St Brigid’s Mental Health Intellectual Disability services in Ballinasloe, county Galway, have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action up to and including strike action.

SIPTU Organiser, Yvonne McGrath, said: “The actions taken by HSE West in privatising our members’ work roles has shown a total lack of regard for their staff. This vote has demonstrated that our members will not be found wanting in responding to actions of the HSE.  It has made this move at a time when workers in intellectual disability services have been working above and beyond their duties in caring for service users who have been at their most vulnerable during the pandemic.”

She added: “The actions taken by HSE West are in breach of agreements, which apply not just to this facility but throughout the public service. Our members are simply calling for the HSE to abide by its agreements, engages in meaningful consultation and desist from the outsourcing of our members’ work.”

SIPTU member in St Brigid’s, Susan Delaney, said: “We are delighted with the high turnout of members to participate in this ballot together with the overwhelming result. The actions of management have been taken with total disregard for workers on the ground. Over years of working with service users, we have built up strong and supportive relationships with them. They know us, trust us and rely on us. The staff will continue to deliver excellent service, working to an extremely high standard, which management by their actions appears to have called into question.”

SIPTU NEC member and St Brigid’s staff, Seamus Dillon said: “Management at St Brigid’s seems to be answerable to no one. In my opinion, their actions seriously damage the credibility of the HSE. If they are allowed to totally disregard the public service agreement and don’t take any action to reverse their decision, they are in danger of bringing the HSE into disrepute.”

03/08/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Unions launch RESPECT = RECOGNITION health workers campaign

Ahead of the Workplace Relations Commission engagement on Thursday morning (5th August) SIPTU. Fórsa, and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have launched an awareness campaign highlighting the real life experience of health workers during the pandemic. The unions are seeking tangible recognition and compensation for frontline healthcare workers’ work during the pandemic.

Such schemes have been applied in Northern Ireland, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Hungary and elsewhere.

Jackie Brown, a Forsa member works in emergency department admin at one of Dublin’s main acute hospitals, and provided this thoughtful account for the campaign.

INMO member and ED Nurse, Moira Wynne said: “I risked my family to do my job. I love what I do, and I’m 100% committed, but the unknown and extraordinary circumstances that this virus brought to the ED where I work just melted staff.  We’ve gone above and beyond, and we’re exhausted. A national clap was so appreciated but it ends there. We are exhausted on the frontline and need to see tangible recognition.”

SIPTU member and household staff in Cork, Fiona Grant, said: “I worked 6 days a week for months as I felt we all had to play our part in helping fight the pandemic. The staff have given 110% for the last year and a half. All health staff should be recognised.”

INMO member and ED Nurse, Eric Lawsin, said: “The ongoing battle for Covid compensation leaves health care workers questioning why they’ve put themselves and their families at such risk over the past year and a half. We see other countries getting compensated and it makes morale on the frontline so low. Everything we do is for our patients, but it’s important we’re looked after too. An incentive to keep going particularly when we don’t know what’s ahead would mean everything to us.”

SIPTU member and catering assistant, Luke Bell, said: “Working through Covid has been very challenging. We have worked through continuous change. Emotionally and physically it has been very tough to adapt. The infection rates among my colleagues in the health service has been sky high and some of them are still suffering from long Covid-19. These sacrifices needs to be recognised by the Government.”

Siobhan Rimmer, Fórsa member, Hospital Ward Clerk in a major Dublin hospital said: “The last year has been very intense for all health workers. We are very tired. I got Covid myself in the first wave. It seems to be all take from the Government and they don’t want to give anything back. That has to change.”

SIPTU member and Radiographer in Dublin, Aine Kelly, said: “Health care workers were forced to use annual leave for childcare as there was no provision of childcare for healthcare workers. Our employers were as flexible as they could be but many parents who work in our health service now have a real deficit of annual leave as a result. We want recognition for our efforts.”

27/07/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Industrial Action Update: Area Director of Nursing in Mental Health

SIPTU representatives have confirmed that members within the grade of Area Director of Nursing in Mental Health will undertake industrial action as and from 08:00hrs Wednesday, 28th July 2021.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, John McCamley said: “The industrial action is being taken given the failure of the HSE to implement the outcome of an independent grading review of the Area Director of Nursing position as committed to, by the employer. It has not been possible to resolve this dispute and notice has been served on the employer to confirm industrial action will take place as and from 08:00hrs on the 28th July. SIPTU representatives have confirmed we are available to prioritise engagement with the HSE and Department of Health to resolve the dispute between parties.”

It is requested you bring this update to the attention of all SIPTU members and request no action is taken by any member of our union which would be deemed to undermine the action being taken by our members employed as Area Directors of Nursing.

Any queries can be directed to the local Area Director of Nursing, SIPTU local representative or SIPTU Health Official.

List of industrial actions.

  • Area DONs will not answer phone calls except those from nursing staff who report to Area Directors of Nursing.
  • Area DONs will only reply to emails sent by nurses who report to Area Directors of Nursing
  • Area DONs will no longer provide any governance for CAMHS community services as this was part of the extended role for Area Directors of Nursing
  • Area DONs will no longer provide any governance for MHID CMHTs as this was part of the extended role for Area Directors of Nursing
  • Area DONs will no longer provide any governance for Liaison Teams as this was part of the extended role for Area Directors of Nursing
  • Area DONs will disengage from all Executive CHO structures
  • Area DONs will disengage from 7/7 Day Service implementation of services.
  • Area DONs will disengage from Workforce Planning/HR processes /Business case completion etc.
  • Area DONs will disengage from National and Local Service Development and Working groups e.g.: SRF/Connecting for Life
  • Area DONs will disengage from Health and Safety CHO governance meeting participation
  • Area DONs will withdraw from any group/meeting that is not solely nursing related
  • Area DONs will withdraw from all Area Management Team functions.
  • Area DONs will not approve the release of staff to participate in non-mandatory training.
  • Area DONs will not engage with Slaintecare
  • Area DONs will not participate with roll out of E-rostering
  • Area DONs will not participate with integrated risk management framework.
  • Area DONs will not engage with capital and any service developments
  • Area DONs will not participate in interview boards.
  • Area DONs will not furnish any reports to disciplines or manager grades outside of nursing.
  • Area DONs will not participate in MHC monthly walk arounds with ECD and GM
  • MHS Compliance and all audits conducted by nursing will be reported to the Area DON in line with reporting relationships.
  • No nominations by Area DON of nursing staff to any interview boards
  • Non approval of release of nursing staff to attend non-nursing meetings (CMHT-Clinical/Service Users meeting exempt)
  • IPC reports conducted by nursing will be reported to the Area DON who will manage these reports.
  • Audits conducted by nursing staff will be directed to the Area Director of Nursing Office for processing, including National Clinical Programmes, ligature audits
  • Area DONs will not process any third party organisation invoices.
  • LIG Meetings – not attending
  • JRG Meetings – not attending
  • Area DON’s will no longer be responding to formal complaints received from Senior Management/HSE Structures or engaging in the process
  • Area DON’s will no longer be responding to Freedom of Information requests or the review of material with a view to redaction prior to the release of responses to FOI requests
  • Area DON’s will no longer be responding to or participating in the development of any corporate responses to Parliamentary questions
  • Area DON’s will not engage with external employment agency organisations and will only manage line management staff resources that are direct HSE employees.
  • Area DONs will not take any governance responsibility for CAMHS / MHID community structures and will re-deploy staff as required from community CAMHS, MHID teams and other service areas to support core nursing services and ensure safe working practices.
  • Area DONs will only release nursing staff trainers in line with HR Circular 043/2020

 

 

 

23/07/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU members in St Brigid’s to ballot for strike action

SIPTU members working as assistants and care workers in St Brigid’s Mental Health Intellectual Disability services in Ballinasloe, county Galway, are to ballot for strike action next week.

SIPTU Organiser, Liz Cloherty, said: “SIPTU representatives have been engaged with HSE Galway/Roscommon Mental Health Services on the reconfiguration to a social model of care of the mental health and intellectual disability services in Ballinasloe. Following actions by HSE senior management to outsource the work of our members, contrary to public service agreements, coupled with the fact that management has dismissed previous Labour Court recommendations, our members have been left with no option but to ballot for strike action.”

SIPTU member in St Brigid’s, Siobhan Turley, said: “We feel that management has not listened to us. It seems our views have absolutely nothing to do with patient care. We have looked after these people for years, on the frontline, and have the experience to continue providing the best care and service possible. It’s very disheartening to think that management can overlook us and outsource our essential work without any consultation.”

19/07/2021 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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Risk Assessment for COVID- 19 Vaccination for HCW

SIPTU representatives received the following update from the HSE on Risk Assessment for COVID- 19 Vaccination for HCW.

Click here for read letter to Unions and management from Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, Colm Henry

Click here for latest draft guidelines.

We understand these documents will be circulated to staff on Tuesday 20th July.

More information will be available in our SIPTU Health Industrial Newsletter this Wednesday, 21st July.

If you have any questions or queries please email ask@siptuhealth.ie

06/07/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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Healthcare workers “deeply offended” by lack of employer recognition for COVID work.

Healthcare workers are “deeply offended” by a lack of proposal from the HSE to recognise their efforts in the fight against COVID.

Health sector unions met with the employers at the Workplace Relations Commission today, where the HSE said that they had no mandate to make an offer.

Unions had sought some form of special recognition for the staff, dating back to late 2020. Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have indicated that they would support some recognition, but no offer has yet been presented.

Health service employers in France, Northern Ireland, Denmark and elsewhere have offered staff bonuses or pay increases in recognition of their work and sacrifices over the past year.

Tony Fitzpatrick, chair of the National joint Council of Health Sector trade unions (SIPTU, INMO, Fórsa IMO, MLSA Unite, Connect, and Craft unions)

 said: 

“Healthcare workers have given their all in the fight against COVID. They have adapted rapidly, worked far beyond their normal duties, and thousands have caught the virus in the line of duty.

“Our members are deeply insulted that the government are still not making any proposals to recognise their efforts. We are now facing into a fourth wave of COVID, with no sign of meaningful recognition in respect of the ongoing efforts made by healthcare workers since the onset of the pandemic. 

“After all the hard work and extreme risk, it beggar’s belief that the HSE has once again come to the table empty handed.”

The Workplace Relations Commission will reconvene a meeting with the unions and the employer on this issue on the 5th of August 2021.

02/07/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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SIPTU Health Weekly Members Update

Next Tuesday, (6th, July) a claim on behalf of all health workers is due before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)

SIPTU Health Division representatives welcome the intervention from the WRC in an effort to resolve this impasse. It is on record that the Health Service Staff Panel of Unions lodged a claim last December with the health service employers seeking recognition for the trojan efforts of all health care workers throughout this one in a lifetime pandemic.

For months, union representatives have continued to push for a satisfactory outcome with some success. However, our efforts have stalled in recent weeks and there is a growing frustration among our members over the delay in having this claim heard and addressed.  

A special members update on any progress made will issue following the outcome of the WRC process.

Job Evaluation resumes

The National Support Staff Job Evaluation Monitoring Committee received confirmation this week that evaluators have recommenced the completion of the remaining evaluations under phase 4 of the scheme. 

Evaluations were put on hold as a result of the cyber attack.

Cyber attack update

SIPTU representatives were advised this week following the recent cyber attack that access to email, online payslips and online servers is progressing.

Payroll continues to run as normal. HSE has assured SIPTU representatives that every effort has gone into capturing and processing all premiums, overtime and additional items. Any issues if applicable will be rectified in the coming weeks.

The HSE have reminded all staff to continue to exercise extreme caution when accessing and opening HSE emails as the IT system continues to come back on stream.

If you have any queries about your pay, contact your time returning officer or local payroll team. 

Payroll contact details are available here.

To subscribe to SIPTU Health Weekly Updates please click here

30/06/2021 Comments are off AideenC
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SIPTU members: Vaccination update

SIPTU Health representatives attended a meeting with national vaccination team today (Wednesday, 30th June). The following update was received.

Updated NIAC advice received by HSE

  • Astra Zeneca and Janssen may now be offered to anyone left to receive any vaccine – previously only offered to over 50s.
  • HSE working on updated advice to put plans in place. The remaining categories will be offered the option of availing of one of the above vaccines if it means they will get access to a vaccination sooner instead of having to wait for a MRNA vaccine. Predominately, this will mean all remaining categories from 34 years and under will be given the option of the above vaccines or wait longer for a MRNA vaccine.
  • HSE looking at updating registration process for this cohort with revised questionnaires on registration form, updating the consent form and more information on the available vaccines offered.Updated advice – Astra Zeneca dose intervals back to 4 weeks.
  • HSE were trying to complete all outstanding seconddoses by week commencing 19th July. 
  • Under revised criteria they are working towards completion of all outstanding 2nd doses by end of next week where possible – Some healthcare workers still to receive 2nd dose will be included in this group.
  • HSE COO has written to each CEO in the hospital groups to ensure all staff encompassed by this are afforded access to their 2nd vaccine dose in line with the updated interval between doses.
  • HSE still operating on 340k appointments a week at present based on available vaccines.
  • HSE envisage spare appointment capacity from week commencing 12th July  based on current available MRNA (Pfizer / Moderna) stock of 150k /180k per week.  The remainder of appointments can be made up in registrations for Astra Zeneca  / Janssen based on uptake in remaining categories.
  • HSE continuing to roll out 2nd dose MRNA (Pfizer / Moderna) vaccines in the 4 week timeframe.
  • General Practitioners continuing to roll out to the cohorts assigned to them.
  • Pharmacists continuing to roll out Janssen vaccine to over 50s
  • 200K Janssen vaccines due between now and end of July (inclusive of existing stock in system, pharmacies, storage etc).
  • HSE advised that the Helix vaccination centre will transfer to the Convention Centre in Santry which can provide a better layout.
  • Meath 2nd vaccination centre up in running in Fairyhouse, with an ongoing increase in the number of available booths as staffing levels improve there.
  • CHO 1 and CHO 8 continuing to actively recruit vaccinators. All other areas reduced to recruitment of replacement or specific posts as they arise.
  • The Union’s and the HSE agreed to meet again next Wednesday (6th July) for a further update.

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