SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 9th July) said that talks in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have adjourned until Wednesday 25h July to allow the Government time to consider the unions demand for an essential confidence-building measure aimed at avoiding potential strike action in early September. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “The basis of our discussions today centred on the data gathered by a HSE audit into fifty nominated Section 39 organisations. The results of the audit are clear. There is a definitive pay link between Section 39 and other public service health workers. Our members want their money back in line with their colleagues in the public service and are determined to see commencement of pay restoration in the final quarter of 2018. “In this regard, SIPTU representatives have made it known to the government parties that we expect our members in Section 39 organisations to be paid the equivalent of the 1% due to all public servants under the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) on 1st October. This payment works out at approximately €1.5 million. “This payment is the minimum our members expect from any confidence-building measure aimed at preventing industrial unrest in the sector in September. This measure is also aimed at keeping union representatives within the agreed WRC process.” He added: “Should the Government decide not to the right thing, and pay our members what they are owed, then it will be obvious that our members claim for pay justice is not being taken seriously.”
Section 39 pay restoration talks adjourn until July 25th
