SIPTU welcomes intervention of Public Service Agreement Oversight Body in health service dispute
SIPTU representatives have welcomed for the intervention of the Public Service Agreement Oversight Body in a dispute concerning access to a job evaluation scheme for support staff in the health service.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “We have today (Thursday, 16th February) received formal confirmation from the Chairperson of the Public Service Agreement Oversight Body that our claim for the reintroduction of a job evaluation scheme for health service support staff has been vindicated. It has now formally been given a green light by all members of the body to proceed.
“SIPTU representatives are satisfied that our members’ actions and conduct in working to reach a solution under the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement has been recognised by the Public Service Agreement Oversight Body and we acknowledge that its intervention was absolutely vital in securing implementation of this integral component of the agreement. SIPTU representatives have commenced discussions with the HSE on the hospital sites earmarked for evaluation which will hopefully see our members secure due recognition for the roles they perform in the public health service.”
He added: “However, I must remind the HSE and Department of Health that a resolution of the two remaining issues for our members working as support staff must be secured if there is to be any possibility of the scheduled strike action in March being averted. The issues still in dispute concern the equal treatment of support staff interns, the lowest paid workers in the service, and the need to apply emergency department concessions to all grades of staff.”
** The members of the Public Service Agreement Oversight Body consist of representatives of the Public Service Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.