The Health Division celebrated wins for its members with positive outcomes from three disputes across the country.
Over the last month, the Health Division won pay increases in disputes with the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Blanchardstown and Inner City Home Care and Trinity Care.
There was a major breakthrough in the long-running NAS dispute over the non-implementation of the McHugh/Crabtree report, following a recommendation from the Labour Court, SIPTU confirmed on 4th June.
The recommendation includes pay increases for Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Specialist paramedics and Paramedic supervisors. The recommendation also protects the majority of existing terms & conditions of ambulance personnel.
SIPTU spent four days in the Labour Court arguing the Union’s case for recognition of changes and upskilling involving the NAS operational grades which were the subject of the recommendations of the McHugh/Crabtree report.
“This recommendation represents the culmination of a long process which now recognises the upskilling, changes and workload undertaken by union members over the last 15 to 20 years,” Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley said. “This recommendation will now be subject to a vote by our members.”
On June 3rd, the Health Division confirmed that proposals were issued following conciliation at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in the ongoing dispute involving members employed by Blanchardstown and Inner-City Home Care Association.
The proposals, which emerged following engagement under the auspices of the WRC on 29th May, set out a series of measures to resolve the dispute, including pay adjustments and commitments regarding outstanding matters. The terms include a 5% pay increase, effective from 4th May, for Monday to Friday work, along with a 3% increase for weekend work.
Further increases will take effect from 27th July and 1st January 2027, with additional incremental improvements of between 4% and 6% linked to service and qualifications.
The proposals also address outstanding issues relating to bank holiday payments, with the employer committing to rectify underpayments and to apply corrective measures both retrospectively and on an ongoing basis.
On 29th May, SIPTU received a revised pay proposal from Trinity Home Care following intensive engagement with the organisation’s management.
The proposal represents progress in the ongoing discussions to resolve the current pay dispute.
The proposal has the potential to deliver substantial financial gains for members of over 10%. It also includes increases to the Night Allowance for those who provide this service between 5.00pm and 10.00pm.
Change in the workers’ pay scales will result in members in their first five years of service benefiting from an annual increase. In line with established procedures, SIPTU will now be putting this proposal to members for their consideration through a formal ballot.
“I would like to thank our Shop Stewards, Activists and members for all of their hard work and dedication that got us to this point,” SIPTU Health Organiser Michelle Waller, who led both disputes, said.
“This is a testament to the power of SIPTU solidarity and collective action.”