Rehab staff to stage protest over pay dispute

A protest is being held by SIPTU members in Dublin today over the alleged failure of the Rehab Group to honour two outstanding Labour Court recommendations.

The union says that the Labour Court has ruled that staff at the Rehab Group are owed money dating back several years.

Today's demonstration is taking place at the Rehab Group headquarters in Sandymount.

"We've been very patient," said Louise O'Reilly, sector organiser with SIPTU.

"We've waited over two years for a resolution to these issues and really I think it's unfair to expect that our members will wait any longer.

"The protest is being organised today at lunchtime to minimise any impact on people who use the services in Roslyn Park, and to maximise the opportunity for the company to come to us and simply say what their intentions are."

Rehab Group later issued a statement regarding the issue.

"National Learning Network and RehabCare, companies of the Rehab Group are currently considering the implications of a recent Labour Court recommendation on the implementation of pay cuts in the two companies, in line with public sector pay and funding cuts." the statement read.

"All staff members affected have been informed of this position, as has the Siptu trade union which represents some of the staff involved."

Shona Boyne, Director of Human Resources for the Rehab Group, said: "This is a very significant matter for two of the companies of the Rehab Group that are involved in this matter, National Learning Network and RehabCare which together employ over 1,700 people.

"Following receipt of the recommendation, clarity was sought on the matter from the Labour Court; as indicated to Siptu, a response was received from the court only days ago.

"The management teams of RehabCare and National Learning Network must now carefully consider the implications of the Labour Court recommendations, together with further cuts in public funding for the services they provide.

"The primary concern of both National Learning Network and RehabCare at all times has been to maintain service levels to our clients and to protect employment numbers, and all decisions have been taken and will continue to be taken in this context.

"We understand that Siptu has organised a protest today at our head office and Roslyn Park College location. We regret that this was done without any proper notice.

"When we learned of this protest last Friday we immediately wrote to Siptu expressing our concerns at the calling of an open protest, without any notice, at a site where vulnerable people are receiving services.

"We sought assurances in relation to the conduct of the event, as well as raising other matters of how Siptu has chosen to conduct relations with Rehab. We received a notice of the protest on Saturday morning last by e-mail, but as yet we have not received a response to the matters we raised in our letter to Mr. Jack O’Connor last Friday.

"We are especially disappointed that a protest was called by Siptu at this stage in the process of seeking a resolution, and in particular the fact that it was arranged and advertised before the deadline by which Siptu had asked Rehab to respond to it on the recent Labour Court recommendation had elapsed.

"It is important to say that we recognise the huge commitment of our staff in ensuring that the essential services we provide to vulnerable people are of the highest quality.

"We remain committed to engaging with our staff and with Siptu in finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the Labour Court recommendation and would urge Siptu to respond to our communication, and engage with us constructively and in good faith."