SIPTU clashes with charity in staffing row

SIPTU and a leading charity clashed last night over claims the charity was delaying giving permanent status to temporary staff with long service.

SIPTU claimed the Brothers of Charity has refused to implement a rights commissioner’s recommendations to make 65 staff at its Lota facility in Cork permanent despite some of the staff having up to 12 years’ service on temporary contracts.

But the charity, one of the country’s largest providers of services for people with an intellectual disability, rejected the claims.

The dispute has been ongoing since April 2003, when SIPTU lodged the claim with a rights commissioner on behalf of the 65 employees - six of whom were named as test cases.

Frustrated with the lack of progress following conciliation, the union sought a Labour Court hearing in May 2004.

It took place in August, and although many issues were resolved, the issue of permanent status remained outstanding.

Management requested at that time that the rights commissioner not issue a recommendation to allow time for staff to be briefed on a restructuring plan.

Management said they were confident the question of permanence could be resolved in that time.

But five months later, no progress had been made. The union then requested in January 2005 that the rights commissioner issue a ruling.

He supported their claim and recommended that if the issues were not resolved by May of last year that:

* All 65 staff members should be made permanent after three years of service.

* A lump sum of €1,000 be paid in a goodwill gesture to each of the 65 staff members for the unacceptably long delay in resolving the issues.

But SIPTU said lesser contracts of “indefinite duration” after four years service are being offered.

And the lump sum payment has been completely ignored.

The charity rejected SIPTU’s claims yesterday.

Director of services, Una Nagle, said staff involved were not temporary and that only 25 employees were involved. “The staff involved are on indefinite duration contracts,” she said.

“We are committed to our staff and are working with SIPTU to resolve the issue.”

But SIPTU branch secretary Alan O’Leary said the charity is refusing to respond to union correspondence on the issue. He has written to all Cork City Council members to highlight the case.

“The Brothers of Charity is heavily funded by the Health Service Executive and is therefore significantly funded by our Government and taxpayers’ money,” Mr O’Leary said. “Surely where an organisation such as this is funded by the taxpayer, there is a social obligation to ensure staff have regularised conditions of employment and are made permanent.”

Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry called on councillors to support the workers.

The charity provides a range of services to more than 600 people - 77% children and 23% adults - with intellectual disability in the Cork and Kerry region.