SIPTU members working as Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in the HSE Home Support Service across Donegal will engage in strike action on February 13 and February 20, in a dispute arising from their employer’s failure to honour national agreements on terms and conditions.
SIPTU Organiser, Ciaran Sheridan, said: “The failure of the HSE to honour agreed improvements in HCAs’ terms and conditions has negatively impacted services, to the detriment of workers and the clients they care for.
“This upcoming industrial action is a direct result of the HSE failing to do the right thing and honour its commitments to these workers and the communities they serve.”
Mr Sheridan said the issues which remain unresolved include underpayments dating back to 2018 and the non-implementation of rostering agreements.
“There are also ongoing breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, resulting in worker burnout due to excessive split shifts and inadequate breaks,” he continued.
“The dispute also concerns the continued use of contractors, which we believe is inconsistent with the HSE’s commitments under the Public Service Agreement and previous Workplace Relations Commission agreements.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Liz Cloherty, said: “Many years of broken promises to these workers on multiple Workplace Relations Commission agreements have brought us to this point.
“These workers provide essential care in our communities to the vulnerable and the elderly.
“They deserve far better, and they intend to secure the terms and conditions which their employer has committed to.
“SIPTU remains available to engage with the HSE to resolve this dispute; however, our members will be left with no alternative but to withdraw their labour should no meaningful engagement be forthcoming.”
During the work stoppages, staff will not be available for their normal roster, and pickets will be placed at the offices of their employers.
Contingency arrangements for emergency issues relating to service users will be agreed with the employer.
