SIPTU Health launches campaign for workers wishing to work beyond 65 years of age

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Monday, 19th February) launched a national campaign aimed at protecting the pay of health workers who choose to work beyond 65 years of age. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “We are launching the ‘Respect Those Who Stay’ campaign to raise awareness of the plight facing thousands of our members working in the HSE and other related agencies. The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe announced in 2017 that he would bring forward legislation in 2018 providing public servants with the option of volunteering to continue on after the current retirement age of 65 and remain in employment up to the age of 70.“However, the Minister stated that he would introduce an interim measure in December 2017. Unfortunately, this interim measure is not fair and equitable for all health workers. It is unacceptable that people who are now 65 and wish to remain in employment on their current, hard earned, terms and conditions are treated so disrespectfully after so many years of long service.”“Our members, like all workers, are severely impacted by their future eligibility to Contributory State Pension scheme which is due to be set at 68 in the near future. As such, many workers throughout the public service are trying to maintain their financial security by opting to apply to stay in their post beyond the age of 65.“However, with the exception of one category of staff, health workers are being forced to endure the indignity of signing a one year fixed term contract as a new entrant and have their incremental point reduced to point one of the pay scale. This is absolutely scandalous and won’t be tolerated by our members. There is a worrying perception that these workers are somehow also entitled to receive their pension while signing onto the one year fixed contract. This is completely false and misleading.”“In response to this unacceptable situation SIPTU Health Division has launched this campaign to end this injustice and to ensure that any proposed legislation will be fair and supportive of our loyal and dedicated members who opt to stay in the service of the public.”