Christmas Message: This is our SIPTU
2019, has been an eventful year for our union. Thousands of our members have stood on picket lines together, won increases in pay together and taken to the streets to demand better action on climate change, housing and healthcare.
Our union is making a difference in improving the quality of the lives of our members through our effective industrial, organising and campaigning work and 2020 will be no different.
SIPTU members in the health service will receive a pay increase from 1st January, 2020, as part of the Public Service Agreement 2018-2020 which places a particular emphasis on raising the wages of lower paid workers.
- Low paid public service workers who earn up to €32,000 per year will receive a basic pay increase of 0.5% with effect from 1st January 2020.
- This is in addition to the 1.75% paid with effect from 1st September 2019 and will be boosted by a further 2% due on 1st October 2020.
- In addition, the income of public service workers will be further increased on 1st January 2020 with a raising of the threshold on the Additional Superannuation Charge to €34,500 giving an increase of approximately €250 per annum.
In negotiations for the current Public Service Agreement, SIPTU representatives prioritised the need for pay increases for lower paid public service workers.
It is essential that these staff, who form the backbone of our public health services receive the recognition they deserve with pay increases which will allow them to better provide for themselves and their families.
SIPTU remains committed to increasing the standard of living of these workers in any future Public Service Agreements.
It goes without saying, that as a union we have a lot more to do to cover the lost ground suffered by many workers during the economic downturn. However, we are on the right track and must continue to assert our rights as a movement to ensure fairness at work and justice in society.
Our collective success relies completely on the energy and commitment of the many thousands of SIPTU activists in workplaces across the country.
As we prepare for a New Year and new challenges we can face them with confidence in the growing strength of our union.