Cork and Kerry disability care workers among those to be balloted for strike action

Members of Siptu, Fórsa and the INMO take part in a lunchtime protest at St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, last October. Picture: Dan Linehan

Up to 5,000 workers at 21 organisations such as Cheshire Ireland and Rehab Group are being balloted for strike action, trade union Siptu said on Friday. 

This follows the failure of the Government to honour a pay deal reached last October before the Workplace Relations Commission, the union said. 

The deal had averted a strike at the last minute, but workers have been dismayed since then to see little progress.

The dispute centres on disparities in pay between staff working for these organisations paid by the State under a Section 39 pay arrangement compared to their HSE peers.

Siptu sector organiser Damian Ginley, said during the general election campaign, senior Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians “were falling over themselves to offer support” then.

“However, their fine words ring hollow when we examine the draft programme for government,” he said.

“The incoming government has failed to include an adequate commitment to address the pay injustice that Section 39 workers face. Our members’ patience has now run out; they are saying enough is enough and want to take action.” 

He called for the pay link between these workers and the public sector to be restored. 

The failure of successive governments to deliver on pay justice for Section 39 workers has left our members struggling with low wages, while the organisations they work for face relentless recruitment and retention crises that undermine service.

Workers will be balloted at Co-Action Cork, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Kerry Parents and Friends Association, Waterford Intellectual Disability Association and St Luke’s Home in Cork, among others.

Fórsa also represent workers in these sectors. A spokesman said on Friday Fórsa has not balloted members.