SIPTU has called on the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, to commit to full pay restoration for lower and middle income health workers who have borne the brunt of cuts in order to maintain services to the public. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Minister Varadkar has made a clear commitment on total pay restoration for new entrants to the medical consultant grade. A Labour Relations Commission brokered deal will see these new consultants offered salaries that range from €125,000 to €190,000.“SIPTU is calling on the Minister to show equal concern for the restoration of pay for other health sector workers who earn considerably less. It is these workers who have suffered the most due to cuts in the funding of the health service. Restoration of the pay of these workers will also ensure a boost to the economy as they spend all their wages supporting themselves and their families”. He added: “The continued attacks on the earnings of lower paid health workers will not be accepted. This was clearly illustrated by the ballot for protective strike action by SIPTU support staff members in six of Dublin's major hospitals last month in response to managers removing them from rosters during unsocial hours and replacing them with interns."The Minister must indicate that he intends to lift the burden on lower and middle-income health workers. Our members have a legitimate expectation that the Government will follow through on the commitment made by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, to address pay issues in the spring of 2015".
SIPTU calls on restoration of pay for all health workers not just consultants
