Members employed at Ireland’s largest dementia care facility voted in favour of a proposal put forward by the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC) on 7th August, ending a long-running dispute at the unit which caters for more than 80 people daily.
Members employed as Household/Domestic Staff at St Joseph’s Centre in Shankill, County Dublin, undertook three days of strike action in July following a dispute regarding conditions and pay.
On 28th July, SIPTU representatives met with management from St Joseph’s at the WRC and called off 72 hours of further strike action.
St Joseph’s Centre, which is part of St John of God services, is the country’s largest care home dedicated solely to dementia care. In June, SIPTU members voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot concerning management’s failure to recognise the Union’s claim regarding Household/Domestic Staff.
SIPTU Organiser Michelle Waller said: “We welcome a resolution to this dispute which will see our members receive a revised regrading, including corresponding enhanced pay rates.
“Our members have also agreed to an independent evaluation of their duties. This evaluation will examine the range of responsibilities being carried out by staff members to ensure that their duties are appropriate for their role”.
“We would like to thank local Shop Stewards and all SIPTU members for their patience, resilience and solidarity throughout the dispute. Their commitment has secured a positive outcome and will hopefully bring certainty going forward.
“This outcome was only achieved because SIPTU members remained united and stood together throughout this process.”