17/11/2014 Comments are off SIPTU Health
Share:

SIPTU calls for replacement of agency health workers with directly employed staff

SIPTU has called for the Government to implement a policy of replacing agency workers with directly recruited staff following the release of figures indicating that the Department of Health and HSE paid out €238 million to private recruitment companies during 2013.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “It is not a surprise that recruitment agencies have been the big winners due to the rigid application of the embargo on recruiting staff by the public service since 2010. The €238 million spent on employing agency workers in the public health service in 2013 was despite an instruction to all managers throughout the HSE and related agencies not to use agency staff.

“SIPTU members working in frontline posts in nursing, midwifery and as support staff have over the past four years bitterly complained about the amount of monies being spent on recruitment agencies’ commission and VAT to hire in workers for positions that should be long term directly recruited posts. The policy does not make economic sense. It is based around the false economy of moving staff numbers ‘off balance sheet’ so it can be claimed that permanent staff numbers can be reduced without any impact on services or patients”.

Paul Bell added: “The SIPTU campaign to stop the over–reliance on the use of agency staff met with success in Budget 2015 when Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform,  Brendan Howlin, announced the ending of the staff recruitment embargo with immediate effect.

“However, the ending of the recruitment embargo alone will not end the reliance on agency staff. The Government must re–direct the monies provided to agency firms to the HSE to directly recruit staff.  SIPTU is calling on the HSE to identify each post filled by an agency worker and, where appropriate, open a recruitment competition to fill the position on a direct contract basis.

“The issue of reducing staff numbers in the health service should not be about optics; it should also be based on value for money. It is now clear that the only organisations that benefited from the chaos caused by the Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government’s implementation of an unlimited voluntary redundancy scheme in 2010 were private recruitment agencies some of which have earned tens of millions of euros each year since this disastrous policy was introduced”.

12/11/2014 Comments are off SIPTU Health
Share:

SIPTU calls on nurses and midwives to stand firm against NMBI fee demand

SIPTU have advised members to ignore a recent intimidatory statement, from the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI), with regard to the current campaign of opposition to the 50% increase in retention fee being sought by that organisation.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “SIPTU and the other nursing unions have reiterated their advice, to all members, in relation to the attempt by NMBI to impose a fee increase. That is to make no payment at this time in response to renewal notices as the matter has been raised under the Haddington Road Agreement with the Department of Health.

“All available nurses and midwives are also requested to attend a public protest outside the NMBI headquarters in Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin on Tuesday 18th November, at 12.00 p.m.

He added: “The three nursing unions have also advised their members that the NMBI’s own rules ensure that no decision, about non-payment, can come before its board prior to March. Also, the HSE, last year, gave the 30th May as the last date for production of confirmation that the retention fee had been paid.

“Against this factual background the NMBI’s recent unsigned statement, suggesting that the disputed fee, of €150, has to be paid, in full, by the 1st January, is misleading, disingenuous, intimidatory and very divisive. Furthermore the unions believe it confirms the level of separation between the NMBI and the professions it is charged with regulating.”

In maintaining their campaign of opposition the three unions have re-affirmed their support for a retention fee, of €100, which is the same retention fee levied upon all other allied health professionals, the need for a regulatory body that protects the public by ensuring that nurses and midwives can practice in an environment conducive to the highest quality care through safe practice and that all expenditure by this statutory regulatory body is subject to openness and full transparency with tighter controls of public relations and legal costs.

07/11/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

Update for all SIPTU Shop Stewards

SIPTU Nurse and Midwives, in conjunction with members of the INMO and PNA, will demonstrate against the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland decision to increase the registration fee by 50% for 2015 having already increased the registration fee substantially in 2014.

In monetary terms Nurses and Midwives are expected to increase their mandatory registration fee from €80 to €150 in the space of one year and with no guarantee of a further increase in 2016.

Our members are determined to confront the NMBI and Department of Health on this unjust increase in fees and have refused to pay the increase already formally notified to them.

This issue is extremely serious and as such SIPTU Health Division is requesting all Shop Stewards, Activists and Members located in Dublin, Louth, Meath Kildare and Wicklow to attend the demonstration which is organised:

VENUE: NMBI HQ 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock Co Dublin

TIME: 12 Noon

Come out and show your support for your colleagues against an unjust and unwarranted attack on our member’s pay.

Contact your local official for transport details

HOLD TIGHT, DON’T PAY, COME OUT ON THE DAY

NMBIBanner

07/11/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

Hold Tight, Do Not Pay and Come Out On The Day

SIPTU members are being asked not to feel pressurised by the NMBI renewal notice and to stand together and refuse to pay the 50% increase imposed on Nurses and Midwives by the NMBI.

SIPTU and other unions are seeking a cap on the fee of €100 per annum under the Haddington Road agreement that will keep Nurses and Midwives in line with other allied health professionals.

Sector Organiser Kevin Figgis said that no state organisation is entitled to increase its income by 50% from a single source and is encouraging all members of SIPTU attend the protest so that their voices can be heard loud and clear by the NMBI.

“Our members should not feel pressurised by the renewal notice issued in recent days by NMBI. They have until 30th May 2015 to make a payment under the 2014 regulations issued by NMBI. The employer, in this case the HSE, cannot discipline any member, or require proof of payment, until after that date”.

“This unjustified increase and tax on work is at the expense of hard pressed people that have worked day in and day out with staffing and pay cuts across the health service – enough is enough.”

“This campaign of resistance can work is all our members stick together and attend the protest on the 18th of November. It is also very important for our members to be aware that they have up until the 30th of May 2015 to make their payment under NMBI regulations so our advice is to hold tight, don’t pay and come out on the day.”

Note to members

Buses for the protest are available – contact your local Union rep or email ask@siptuhealth.ie

NMBI is seeking to increase the retention fee for members for 2015, from €100 to €150. ‌ Nurses and midwives will hold a public protest, to coincide with the next meeting of the NMBI board, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 18th November. This protest will begin at midday outside NMBI Headquarters, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

SIPTU nurses and midwives are also being asked to send in individual letters of complaint to NMBI outlining their reasons for opposing the rise in the retention fee.

NMBIBanner

06/11/2014 Comments are off SIPTU Health
Share:

SIPTU urges Nurses and Midwives to ignore NMBI renewal letter

SIPTU has urged members in the Nurses and Midwifery Sector to ignore the recent renewal letter sent by the NMBI, to continue the campaign of non payment of the unfair registration increase and to make sure that they attend the protest of the NMBI offices on the 18th of November.

Sector Organiser Kevin Figgis said that the protest on the 18th of November outside the NMBI offices in Blackrock, Dublin, is of great importance if SIPTU members are to send the message loud and clear that Nurses and Midwives have had enough and that they are not prepared to pay another unjustified increase or tax on work.

“All our members are advised to make no payment to NMBI, at this time, and await further advice from SIPTU and even at this late stage, we would ask all members, who have not already done so, to immediately cancel their direct debit to NMBI so that no payment in excess of €100 is made.”

Summary

 The two immediate next steps, involving all members, can be summarised as follows:

  • When you receive your renewal notice you are asked to make no payment, at this time. Furthermore members are asked to wait further advice, from your unions, as to when a payment of €100 (the existing fee) should be made maintaining a record of such payment.
  • Members should arrange to attend the public protest at 12.00 noon, outside NMBI HQ, on Tuesday, 18th November 2014.

NMBIBanner

02/11/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

SIPTU General President calls for referendum on public ownership of water

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called on the Government to promote a referendum to amend the constitution to prohibit the privatisation of public water supply.

Jack O’Connor said: “SIPTU supports the call for a constitutional change which will enshrine the public ownership of water and its supply. This call, which has been made by the Green Party and a number of progressive organisations, will end any drift towards the privatisation of water.

“None of the major political parties would openly support privatisation, some because they are deeply ideologically opposed to it, others because it would be so unpopular. Nevertheless, it will still come about by stealth and very quickly too if the citizens of Ireland do not vote for such a constitutional change.

“If Irish Water is unable to collect its revenues it will become insolvent. Then the government of the day will be faced with tax increases and public spending cuts associated with putting the costs of water supply back on the State’s balance sheet. The use of ‘private money’ would soon emerge as the solution to such a funding crisis and the creeping privatisation of the service would then ensue. A constitutional amendment could preclude such a tragedy”.

Jack O’Connor also reiterated the SIPTU call for a mechanism to fully offset the cost of every households ‘normal need for water’, while preserving the incentive for conservation.

He added: “It’s not rocket science. A refundable tax credit is the way to do it. Fiddling around with the issue won’t cut the mustard. It will simply prolong the crisis. In the end, and possibly very quickly, Irish Water won’t be able to collect its revenues thus rendering it insolvent and we will sleepwalk into the privatisation of public water supply”.

31/10/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

SIPTU serves notice of protective strike action on Dublin hospitals

SIPTU has served notice of protective strike action, today (Friday, 31st October), on Dublin’s six main training hospitals in a dispute over rosters and pay.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Following the unilateral decision by the hospital managements to attempt to change working patterns for porters, catering operatives, laboratory assistants and CSSD Technicians, SIPTU has been left with no alternative but to serve notice of protective strike action”.

The hospitals involved are St Vincent’s University, Beaumont, the Mater, Tallaght and St Luke’s and the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street.

He added: “These hospitals have been advised by letter that our members will engage in strike action should management unilaterally introduce change to our members rosters and established shift patterns, which management have agreed with workers, will be retained”.

Paul Bell has previously informed the HSE and the management of the six hospitals that the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements contain provisions which protect the earnings of low paid workers in the health service who have already suffered major reductions in pay.

30/10/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

SIPTU says NMBI fee increase may breach Haddington Road Agreement

SIPTU and other health sector unions have asked Department of Health officials to examine whether an attempt by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to increase members’ retention fees from €100 to €150 next year breeches the Haddington Road Agreement.

The retention fee issue was raised by union representatives at a meeting of the Health Service Haddington Road Oversight Body held yesterday (Wednesday, 29th October).

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “At the meeting the union side stressed the requirement, within the Haddington Road Agreement, that in return for acceptance of the agreement, there would be no further costs incurred by staff. We asked the Oversight Body to ensure that this aspect of the agreement was honoured.

“After discussion the Department of Health representative, at the Oversight Body meeting, asked for further time to review the issue.  He committed the Department of Health to an early meeting to discuss this issue, as previously requested by the unions. This meeting is expected to take place next week”.

Paul Bell added: “SIPTU members are asked not to pay their NMBI retention fee increase and cancel any direct debits for this purpose. Our members have suffered significant financial reductions over the past number of years including pay cuts, the imposition of levies and the Universal Social Charge.

 “They are not in a position to pay increased fees to NMBI, an organisation which has attempted to impose an increase of nearly 70% in the retention fee over the last two years. The unions hold a collective view that the registration fee should be maintained at the current level of €100. In due course, we will advise members of when and how they should pay this €100”.

Nurses and midwives will hold a public protest, to coincide with the next meeting of the NMBI board, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 18th November. This protest will begin at midday outside NMBI Headquarters, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

SIPTU nurses and midwives are also being asked to send in individual letters of complaint to NMBI outlining their reasons for opposing the rise in the retention fee.

For a further update please download NMBI Newsflash No 5 04-11-14

29/10/2014 Comments are off Health Division
Share:

SIPTU calls on restoration of pay for all health workers not just consultants

SIPTU has called on the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, to commit to full pay restoration for lower and middle income health workers who have borne the brunt of cuts in order to maintain services to the public.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Minister Varadkar has made a clear commitment on total pay restoration for new entrants to the medical consultant grade. A Labour Relations Commission brokered deal will see these new consultants offered salaries that range from €125,000 to €190,000.

“SIPTU is calling on the Minister to show equal concern for the restoration of pay for other health sector workers who earn considerably less. It is these workers who have suffered the most due to cuts in the funding of the health service. Restoration of the pay of these workers will also ensure a boost to the economy as they spend all their wages supporting themselves and their families”.

He added: “The continued attacks on the earnings of lower paid health workers will not be accepted. This was clearly illustrated by the ballot for protective strike action by SIPTU support staff members in six of Dublin’s major hospitals last month in response to managers removing them from rosters during unsocial hours and replacing them with interns.

“The Minister must indicate that he intends to lift the burden on lower and middle-income health workers. Our members have a legitimate expectation that the Government will follow through on the commitment made by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, to address pay issues in the spring of 2015”

21/10/2014 Comments are off SIPTU Health
Share:

Planned protest by nurses and midwives at NMBI

NMBIBanner

Representatives of SIPTU and other health sector unions have asked to meet with Department of Health officials over an attempt by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to increase members’ retention fees from €100 to €150 next year.

‌All nurses and midwives must be registered with NMBI in order to practise their profession in Ireland.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, told Liberty: “These discussions will offer the potential to avoid the very serious issues which will emerge for the health service, when nurses and midwives decline to pay the unwarranted increase being sought by NMBI. Such a development will present serious problems for the health service and this would appear to be of no concern to NMBI.”

He added: “SIPTU members are asked not to pay their NMBI retention fee increase and cancel any direct debits for this purpose.

“Our members have suffered significant financial reductions over the past number of years including pay cuts, the imposition of levies and the Universal Social Charge.

“They are not in a position to pay increased fees to NMBI, an organisation which has attempted to impose an increase of nearly 70% in the retention fee over the last two years.”

Nurses and midwives will now hold a public protest, to coincide with the next ordinary meeting of the NMBI board, which is scheduled for Tuesday, 18th November. This protest will begin at midday outside NMBI Headquarters, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. SIPTU nurses and midwives are also being asked to send in individual letters of complaint to NMBI outlining their reasons for opposing the rise in the retention fee.

Letter to Department of Health – Letter to Dept Health re NMBI

Notice from unions – NMBI 2

SIPTU members can download a poster for the protest or upload an image to use as their Facebook or Twitter profile picture.

Find out more


Latest News

  • Health workers in the com...

    The ICTU group of unions representing health and community w

    Read More
  • Now is the time for Healt...

    SIPTU, the Union with national negotiation rights for Health

    Read More

SIPTU Health Plus