The Support Sector Committee launched an important survey on direct employment and outsourcing at the recent Annual General Meeting of the Sector.
The Committee is now calling on all support grade Shop Stewards and Activists to participate in each workplace.
Launching the Survey, Support Sector President Jacqueline Cooke said: “As a sector, we continue to highlight the importance of direct employment within our health services. Our members play a pivotal role in delivering health care.”
She added: “Support grade members provide cleaning, catering, and portering needs amongst a range of support grades, providing important support in the care needs of patients and should not be exposed to any attempt to outsource our roles.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Damian Ginley, said: “The Support Sector Committee are passionate about the protection of directly employed support grades in our health system. This survey builds on the motions put to the Biennial Delegate Conference, calling on the HSE to prioritise the delivery of services through direct labour.”
He continued: “We are asking all Shop Stewards to engage with their committees and complete the survey to provide the Union with up-to-date information on the delivery of services within each hospital/health facility”, adding, “This information will be crucial in supporting our Union’s efforts to maintain protections against outsourcing in the upcoming pay discussions.
“We are also calling on all Shop Stewards to ensure that all staff in their sections are union members, so we can be ready to fight any attempts to outsource our members’ work.”
Hardcopy surveys, along with placards, are available from your local organiser or can be printed as a PDF using the attached link.
The closing date to submit your completed survey is 11th May.