The Sector has embarked on an organising and density building initiative for contract services workers employed in hospitals around the country. The aim of the initiative is to build union power in hospitals against the background of successfully securing the Covid Recognition Bonus for these members.
SIPTU Sector President, Christy Waters, said: “Contract Services workers in catering, cleaning and security performed essential duties in our hospitals during the pandemic. These largely low paid workers did their bit for the country at its most challenging time with many contracting Covid in the workplace.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ed Kenny, said: “A National Covid Committee was established by the Sector which campaigned through collective action and the media to secure these workers the Covid Recognition Payment when there was an attempt to withhold it from them. We will now build on this campaign to bring more workers into SIPTU so that together we work for improved terms and conditions of employment and better workplaces.”
The plan will include general meetings, identifying workplace leaders, setting up committees, and agitating around issues that are important to contract service workers in hospitals. Publicity campaigns within facilities and peer-to-peer discussions on the benefit of union membership will also be features. This objective is part of a wider plan to build the Union in the contract services sector.
Photo from left to right: SIPTU Contract Services Sector members Beata Pazdan, Justyna Podkowa, Lorraine Clinch (Shop Steward), Jennifer Gerland, Emmet O’Connor, Sylwia Groszek, Marianna Lengher, Jasmine Walsh and Bobby Almazan who are employed in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.