Strikes were called off around the country after an agreement was finally reached between the HSE and Home Support Health Care Assistants (HCAs) on key issues, including underpayments, rostering, and working conditions for these critical frontline staff.
As a result of the agreement, SIPTU suspended all strike action scheduled for the Northwest, West and South regions.
The deal, reached with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission, resolves long-standing issues for SIPTU HCA members in the HSE Home Support Service, arising from their employer’s violation of national agreements on terms and conditions.
The wider agreement follows a breakthrough in late February, when a deal was reached to pay backdated overtime dating back to 2018 and to reinforce employment protections for HCAs in County Donegal.
“This win ends years of unresolved issues, including underpayments for overtime and the outsourcing of roles,” SIPTU activist and Donegal-based HCA Edel McGowan said.
“What we achieved by our willingness to take industrial action was the security in knowing that our overtime rates are going to be paid going forward, as well as the backdated payments.”
She added: “We also achieved job security for ourselves, with the HSE reaffirming their commitment to the maximum use of direct labour in the first instance, before outsourcing to private providers. This will be of significant benefit to SIPTU members, particularly to those who may be on lower-hour contracts who wish to take on additional work.”
Following the talks, the HSE provided written commitments to pay all overtime money owed from 2018 onwards, with a timeline agreed for payments over the next 24 months.
Additionally, the HSE confirmed its commitment to a ‘direct-first’ employment model by stating that it will offer additional hours to directly employed staff before outsourcing.
Speaking on the wider agreement, SIPTU Organiser Graham Macken said: “The HSE has reaffirmed its commitment to direct labour, with additional hours being offered to those on lower-hour contracts, ensuring vacant positions are recruited into promptly and confirming every effort will be made through recruitment initiatives to secure direct employment of HCAs in Home Support Services.”
Sector Organiser Liz Cloherty said: “Our members deliver an invaluable service to their clients, and they deserve the recognition and respect for the essential work they do.”
She added: “Our members did not take the decision lightly to take industrial action; however, they felt they had no choice for the betterment of their conditions and ensuring this vital job is one that people will want to take up with the HSE in the future.”