What is the date of the strike action?
On Wednesday 14th October, all public service health members will take a day of strike action. The action will take the form of a one-day work stoppage involving all Health Division public service members in Phase 1 (30 major hospitals) and Phase 2 locations (all remaining health members in the HSE and Section 38 employments). A further day of action on 21st October has been notified to your employer where there is no resolution to the dispute.
What does strike action mean?
On 14th October, our members will withdraw their labour from their workplaces and place pickets on each work premises.
Contingency plans will have to be put in place to safeguard patients and the public during the day of action.
Specific arrangements for each location will be agreed locally between our strike committee and management.
What will I have to do on the day of strike?
We are asking members to participate in pickets at their workplace on the day of action to send a very clear message to the Government.
We expect that picket rotas will be agreed upon for each location with the strike committee.
Within the health service, agreement will be made between the strike committee and management to determine the essential and emergency cover that will be provided on the day.
Members will be asked to partake in the pickets and/or assist with all emergency cover requirements.
Committees are being established in each work location to commence engagement on the contingency plans for each workplace.
Will I lose pay on a strike day?
It depends on whether you are asked to provide essential cover as part of the strike.
Should you be required to provide essential cover as part of the action, then we will be insisting that you should be paid for each hour worked on the day.
As you work in the health service, there is a requirement for several parts of the health services to remain functioning to safeguard and protect the patients and service users availing of the service. As a result, some members will be required to work as part of the action.
The HSE has advised that payment will be made for the hours worked to any member who is performing duties on the day of the action. We are seeking confirmation that each Section 38 employer will provide payment for any hours worked during the day of action.
Where you are normally rostered on the strike day but are not required to work due to the strike, then you will not receive payment for the day.
This means you will not receive your normal pay for that day. Because less pay is subject to tax and other deductions in that pay cycle, the reduction in your take-home pay will normally be less than the gross amount of one day’s pay.
Does SIPTU pay strike pay?
SIPTU provides Dispute Benefit to eligible members taking part in authorised strike action. Dispute Benefit is payable from the first day of an authorised dispute, subject to the rules governing eligibility and payment.
Members should comply with SIPTU’s instructions, including arrangements relating to picketing, to remain eligible for Dispute Benefit. If you have questions about your eligibility or payment, contact your SIPTU Organiser.
A further communication will be issued to members outlining how you apply for strike pay after the dispute.
Will I be penalised for going on strike?
SIPTU members who take authorised strike action are supported by the Union. Non-members are not entitled to this support.
Members taking part in authorised strike action should follow the instructions issued by SIPTU and their local representatives.
What is a picket?
When members are on strike, they come together at their workplace to picket. Picketing raises public awareness of the dispute and demonstrates the strength of members taking strike action.
When should I go to the picket?
Picket arrangements will be organised locally.
Your local SIPTU Organiser/Workplace Representative or picket coordinator will tell you when you are expected to attend.
Picket rosters may be used so members can attend in shifts and ensure there is a suitable number of members at the picket throughout the agreed period.
How do I know where I should go to picket?
Picket locations are determined locally. Your SIPTU Organiser/Shop Steward will tell you where your picket will be located. This will normally be outside your own workplace or another workplace location where your employer operates.
What are the guidelines for the picket?
You will receive specific guidance from your SIPTU Representative or picket coordinator.
General guidelines:
- The picket must remain peaceful
- The purpose of the picket is to communicate information
- Access to the premises being picketed should not be obstructed
- Vehicles should not be blocked or surrounded
- Members of the public should be treated respectfully
- Unrelated businesses should not be targeted
- Members should remain at the agreed picket location
- Members should not enter the employer’s premises unless authorised
- Any difficulty on the picket should be referred to the Shop Steward or designated SIPTU official.
How will I know whether I am rostered on the picket and for what times?
Your local SIPTU Organiser/ shop steward will issue the picket roster. Contact your local representative if you are unsure of your arrangements.
What do I need for the picket?
Appropriate clothing, including comfortable shoes and layers:
› Weather-appropriate clothing, including a waterproof jacket if needed
› Water and refreshments
› SIPTU flags, placards and other union materials, where available.
What is a derogation?
A derogation means that a particular type of work or a particular worker is exempt from the union’s instruction to take industrial action.
Derogations are normally considered where continuing the industrial action could have life-threatening consequences.
For example, in the health service, arrangements may be made to ensure that emergency, life-saving procedures can continue.
An employer must request a derogation. SIPTU will assess the request and decide whether a derogation should be granted.
If I am on sick leave, should I attend the picket line?
If you are unfit for work, you should not attend the workplace or picket.
Do not attend a picket if doing so would be contrary to medical advice or put your health at risk.
Can I take annual leave on the strike day to avoid losing pay?
If annual leave was approved before the strike was called, you should discuss your circumstances with your local SIPTU Representative.
Members with questions about their individual circumstances should contact their local representative and/or official before the strike day. As a SIPTU member, you are expected to follow the union’s instructions during authorised industrial action.
Are there any other dates of strike action that I should know about?
If the Government has not engaged in meaningful pay talks after 14th October, further action in the form of a one-day work stoppage has been scheduled for 21st October and notified to your employer.
Further information will be issued on preparations for the 21st if that remains a requirement.
I have caring responsibilities that affect when I can be present. Will this be taken into account?
Speak to your local SIPTU Representative as early as possible. Your local team will make arrangements for the picket and take individual circumstances into account where possible.
I am pregnant. What health and safety arrangements will be in place on the picket line?
Speak to your local SIPTU Representative. There may be other ways you can support the picket without standing for a long period. Do not put your health at risk.
Can I drive into the staff car park and walk back out to the picket line?
This will depend on the local arrangements at your workplace. Check with your local SIPTU Representative before the strike day.
What if I have other questions about the strike?
Speak to your Shop Steward and SIPTU Health Organiser for any further questions that you may have.
Each location will be developing detailed plans for the strike action on 14th and 21st October.
Why did we have a Phase 1 and Phase 2?
We conducted two phases to be able to combine all locations to maximise action on strike days.
I didn’t receive a postal ballot; what now?
All our members in Phase 2 (all HSE and Section 38 locations outside the original 30 hospitals) were sent out a postal ballot with the address on their file.
If you have moved and have not informed the Health Division, please contact our admin staff as soon as possible to make sure not miss further votes, ballots and updates from this Union. You can update your information here: https://www.siptu.ie/update/
Why are Phase 1 and Phase 2 joining together?
This is a public service pay dispute.
Following the ballot of members in Phase 2, they will join their Phase 1 colleagues in all locations to come together to maximise the impact of the action on the day.
As both groups of members are joined under the one dispute, we will no longer be using the terminology of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
We want to send a clear and strong message to the Government that our members are no longer prepared to wait.
Minister Chambers has said that the Government is waiting for the unions to join the talks. Why are we going ahead with the strike?
This action is about defending living standards, safeguarding quality patient care, and ensuring that essential health services remain in public hands.
The Government must now engage seriously with workers’ representatives and address these legitimate concerns before this dispute escalates further.
This is a public sector-wide dispute.
The officers of the Public Service Committee of Congress have written to the Minister outlining what is required to enable talks to commence. In the absence of the same, strike action will proceed.
I voted no in the ballot; does that mean I still have to go on strike?
Yes, all members are required to participate in strike action duty on the picket line.
Similarly to other voting processes, all members are bound by the collective decision taken by the members.
Members voted over 97% in favour of industrial action and strike action and have given a clear mandate to the Union.
I’m involved in the industrial action, but I haven’t received emails about it?
If you haven’t received our emails, there are two things you need to do:
- Check your spam folder in case the emails are located there.
- Update your personal information such as email address and phone number on SIPTU’s website here: https://www.siptu.ie/update/
If you are sure that all your details are correct, contact your local Shop Steward or SIPTU Health Organiser.
What can I do if I’m not a member of SIPTU?
There is still time to join. Become a member here: https://www.siptu.ie/join/