SIPTU members employed as Household/Domestic Staff at St Joseph’s Centre in Shankill, Dublin, are to proceed with a strike on Wednesday, 15th July, following a breakdown of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Monday.
The dispute follows management’s failure to appropriately pay workers in line with the duties they currently carry out. SIPTU representatives met with management at the WRC on Monday for last-minute talks in an effort to prevent the upcoming industrial and 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. Last month, SIPTU members voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot concerning management’s failure to recognise the Union’s claim for enhanced pay for Household/Domestic Staff to Multi-Task Attendant.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Michelle Waller, said: “It is deeply disappointing that management failed to offer a proposal that SIPTU could bring back to our members. Our members deserve recognition for the crucial work that they have been carrying out and continue to carry out daily.
“This is an absolute last resort. Our members are carers by nature and profession and do not take this upcoming action lightly. SIPTU remains open to talks and we are still hopeful that management will put forward a resolution soon.”
Strike action is scheduled to take place on the following dates:
- Wednesday, 15th July
- Tuesday, 21st July
- Wednesday, 22nd July
- Monday, 27th July
- Tuesday, 28th July
- Wednesday, 29th July