Unions fear ‘race to bottom’ in nursing home dispute

TRADE unions fear “a race to the bottom” in the nursing home sector if attempts by the owners of elderly care institutions to push down staff wages and working conditions succeed.

An industrial dispute at Our Lady’s Manor Nursing Home, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, is entering its 14th week as SIPTU attempts to counter the homeowner’s move to unilaterally push through wage cuts and reverse working conditions.

Nearly 2,000 people took part in a protest march and meeting in Edgeworthstown at the weekend, held to support SIPTU members on strike at the nursing home.

They included local TDs Willie Penrose of Labour and James Bannon of Fine Gael, as well as councillors from across the political spectrum and members of the business community.

The owners, Noel and Sarah Ann McGivney, who also run nursing homes in Mullingar and Multyfarnham, took over the 71-bed Manor Nursing Home from the Sisters of Mercy in February 2009. However, according to SIPTU, they reneged on their responsibility to maintain conditions of employment as required under the transfer of undertaking regulations.

The owners are attempting, without negotiation, to impose a 10% wage cut, rearrange the staff occupational pension scheme, reduce holidays, Sunday work and night premiums, early morning allowances and change the sick pay scheme.

Speakers at the public meeting included SIPTU general president Jack O’Connor, who thanked the community for “the tremendous support given to the workers”. He hoped the owners will “respond to the call for talks”.

The management of Manor Nursing Home where unavailable for comment yesterday evening.

Union sources have said they fear that if the Longford nursing home owners are successful in their attempt to unilaterally impose reductions in working conditions it will encourage other for-profit companies to attempt to do the same across the sector.

“It’s an attempt to take advantage of already low-paid workers who are unwilling to see clients suffer and as such can not utilise the usual methods of industrial action. It’s a tragic situation but SIPTU is intent on ensuring that both nursing home clients and workers are treated fairly,” the union source added.