SIPTU members in disability organisations in south east to hold ‘day of action’

SIPTU members in organisations providing services for people with intellectual disabilities in the south east of the country will hold a ‘day of action’ on Tuesday, 23rd February, to protest against the non-payment of increments due to them. Workers in Ard Aoibhinn Services in Wexford Town, County Wexford Community Workshop in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and SOS Services, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny will hold protests as part of the ‘day of action. SIPTU Organiser, David Morris said: “Our members have been badly let down by the refusal of the management of these organisations to pay them what they are owed. The workers have explored every avenue open to them to find a solution to this dispute and now feel they have no option but to take action to highlight the situation. “In 2010, the HSE withdrew funding for salary increments. An agreement is in place that aligns salaries in HSE funded Section 39 organisations such as Ard Aoibhinn Services, county Wexford Community Workshop and SOS Services with HSE consolidated pay rates.  “HSE workers have had their increments restored so it is only fair that workers in Section 39 organisations enjoy parity of esteem and the same respect.” He added: “SIPTU referred this dispute to the Labour Relations Commission and subsequently to the Labour Court in 2013. The Labour Court ruled in favour or our members. The employer accepted the Labour Court ruling but the HSE has refused to fund the resulting cost of paying the increments that are due to our members.”