Guide dog staff ‘available for talks’ despite strike notice
A number of guide dog trainers and kennel staff at the centre in Cork said they will start indefinite industrial action on September 3 unless management enter talks with their union, SIPTU.
IGDB clients will not be disadvantaged by any potential industrial action, SIPTU official Tom O’Driscoll said last night.
“The welfare of clients is paramount.
“Staff will be available to cover emergency situations,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
“Our members are committed to the service they give to people who are blind and visually impaired.
“They love the work they do but they are unhappy with their employment conditions.”
An IGDB spokesman said he was confident the issue could be resolved quickly without impacting on the quality of service to clients.
Staff claim new working conditions were introduced as well as changes to the method of calculating public holiday entitlement.
A number of staff members joined SIPTU within the last month but despite letters from the union, IGDB management have so far refused to hold talks.
“Strike action is a last resort. But we’re available for talks at any stage,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
A staff meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday.
Mr O’Driscoll said he would not make any further comment until after that meeting.
An IGDB spokesman confirmed management have introduced a number of “operational and structural changes” to improve the quality of service to guide dog owners, long cane users, their clients and volunteers.
“These changes have seen an increase in the number of people given the opportunity to achieve mobility and independence, including the introduction of services for families of children with autism,” he said.
“We are committed to the development of our employees as this is key to improving the services to our clients.
“We have created 10 jobs to ensure that the organisation can grow to meet the needs, and the conditions for our staff have improved considerably.
“We fully recognise the right of our employees to join trades union but have chosen not to enter into collective bargaining with a third party.”
