'We don't want to strike, but we just can’t be paid less for the same job anymore'

Socialist TD Mick Barry is to raise the issue of care workers' pay in the Dáil, adding that: 'The cost of living crisis is bearing down heavily on working people across the board, but the pressures are unimaginable for workers who haven't had a pay increase in 14 years.' Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

“We don’t want to strike but we have no other choice with the cost of living. We don’t want to be left behind anymore.” 

These were the words of Gerard Madigan, a social care worker for people with disabilities in St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville, Co Cork, ahead of a nationwide strike at community and care organisations. Some 1,000 community and care sector workers are expected to strike this week.