SIPTU representatives announced today (Friday, July 24th) an escalation in industrial action at Ireland’s largest dementia care facility with a 72-hour strike scheduled for next week following a lack of progress in talks with management.
Members employed as Household/Domestic Staff at St Joseph’s Centre in Shankill, County Dublin, have already undertaken three days of strike action this month.
The escalation was announced following the ongoing failure of management to regrade and pay the workers rates that recognise the duties they currently carry out, such as feeding residents.
Further strike action will be held next week on Monday, 27th July; Tuesday, 28th July, and Wednesday, 29th July.
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 for the regrading of Household/Domestic Staff.
Over 80 people use the centre daily.
A SIPTU member said: “My colleagues and I don’t want to be out on strike. We are continually asked to fill the gaps due to understaffing. Over the years, other departments like laundry have closed, pushing the extra work onto housekeeping. We work extremely hard and want recognition for the work we do but management has ignored us.”
SIPTU Organiser, Michelle Waller, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support shown by the loved ones of residents, many of whom joined our members on the picket line.
“Families understand the valuable contribution our members make every day and recognise that they have been carrying out duties beyond the scope of their current grade, including supporting residents with feeding and other aspects of care.
“Our members are simply seeking recognition via a pay regrading, along with the appropriate training, to reflect the responsibilities they are already undertaking in the interests of residents.
“These residents are incredibly vulnerable and deserve the highest quality of care possible, which means that our members should receive the proper training and regrading.
“The chronic understaffing in the centre should not fall on the shoulders of our members. We are calling on management to come to the table and speak to us. The ongoing staffing challenges within the centre cannot continue to be managed through the goodwill and commitment of our members alone.
“Our members do not want to be away from the residents whom they care deeply about. They do not want to be out on strike. However, management’s inaction has led to this escalation in the dispute. We have informed management that SIPTU remains available to negotiate a resolution to this dispute.”