SIPTU condemns Government for leaving Section 39 workers behind
SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 21st December) condemned the Government for leaving Section 39 workers without a roadmap to pay restoration in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Service Plan for 2018.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Section 39 workers feel completely abandoned by this Government. They are disappointed and frustrated at the lack of any specific actions, in the HSE Service Plan for 2018, to address the issue of pay justice for all Section 39 workers.”
“The key players in the Department of Health, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE have demonstrated their utter contempt for the most vulnerable health and social care workers in the country by omitting Section 39 workers from any financial provision in the Service Plan for 2018.
“This neglectful action only serves to harden Section 39 workers’ resolve during their current ballot for industrial action. Should our members in Section 39 organisations decide to vote yes for strike action, the date is now set for Monday, 12th February 2017.”
He added: “It is unfortunate, but the feeling on the ground is that this strike is now inevitable and services will be affected. SIPTU representatives have made every effort to engage the key stakeholders in order to avoid this situation.
“However, our members are now in the intolerable situation where the Labour Court has issued eight recommendations supporting their claims for full pay restoration while the Government of the day refuses to engage in a process that could resolve their plight.
“Our members are now calling on the Government to pay up, or face the consequences.”