A new High Level Forum for the Community Sector will bring together workers’ representatives directly with officials from government departments and agencies.
SIPTU and Impact negotiators proposed the establishment of the Forum during the talks leading up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The creation of this Forum is a significant breakthrough for workers in the Community Sector.
It has been agreed that government departments and statutory agencies’ officials will meet on an ongoing basis in the High Level Forum to:
• Ensure the effective exchange of information on relevant issues in the Sector
• Receive updates on public expenditure levels in the sector
• Receive regular information updates on service delivery and best outcomes in the Sector
• Address with full consideration issues such as pensions and terms and conditions of employment related to employment in the Sector
The High Level Forum will be convened by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will meet on a quarterly basis.
SIPTU Vice President, Gene Mealy, a lead negotiator in the talks establishing the new High Level Forum, said: “This Forum is probably the most important initiative secured for workers in the sector in recent years. It overcomes a major difficulty experienced by unions in resolving any serious industrial relations issues affecting their members. While recourse to the Labour Court has resulted in
supportive recommendations some government departments and agencies have failed to honour them.
“The new High Level Forum for the sector provides a formal mechanism to
enable fruitful engagement and negotiated solutions for union members.”
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
Monday, 23 November 2015
SIPTU Campaign for Disability Services
SIPTU Campaign for Disability Services
#StrongerTogether
SIPTU has launched a campaign calling on Government to invest in Personal Assistant (PA) service so that people with disabilities have the services they need & PA workers have a decent wage.
Because of a lack of funding many people with disabilities are not getting the Personal Assistant support they need, making some prisoners in their own home.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Family Resourse Centres are Getting Organised
Workers in Family Resource Centres (FRC) across the country are getting organised in SIPTU to ensure they have strong voice nationally.
Workers in the over 100 FRCs support families in difficult circumstances and provide
practical assistance to community groups delivering training and education.
County Kerry FRC worker and SIPTU activist, Suzanna Griffin, said: “FRCs play a vital role in communities. They base their work on community development principles, and involve people from marginalised groups and areas of disadvantage. FRC workers support families, help children, and look after the elderly and disabled.”
She added: “However, they have suffered massively due to cuts. Currently, 50% of FRCs have to fundraise to meet their basic wage costs and pay basic overheads, such as heating and lighting.
“Most FRC core staff have had a pay freeze since 2008, with no increments awarded, and no increase in rates of pay since then. Others have taken pay cuts to ensure their centres have remained open. During this time, FRC staff workloads have increased significantly such is the demand for the services they provide.”
Griffin, who is also a SIPTU NEC Equality Subcommittee member and the union’s representative on the National Womens Council, added: “With TUSLA (the Child and Family Agency) taking over the funding of FRCs there will be changes. By organising with SIPTU, workers will be in a better position to protect jobs and the delivery of vital community services.”
Workers in the over 100 FRCs support families in difficult circumstances and provide
practical assistance to community groups delivering training and education.
County Kerry FRC worker and SIPTU activist, Suzanna Griffin, said: “FRCs play a vital role in communities. They base their work on community development principles, and involve people from marginalised groups and areas of disadvantage. FRC workers support families, help children, and look after the elderly and disabled.”
She added: “However, they have suffered massively due to cuts. Currently, 50% of FRCs have to fundraise to meet their basic wage costs and pay basic overheads, such as heating and lighting.
“Most FRC core staff have had a pay freeze since 2008, with no increments awarded, and no increase in rates of pay since then. Others have taken pay cuts to ensure their centres have remained open. During this time, FRC staff workloads have increased significantly such is the demand for the services they provide.”
Griffin, who is also a SIPTU NEC Equality Subcommittee member and the union’s representative on the National Womens Council, added: “With TUSLA (the Child and Family Agency) taking over the funding of FRCs there will be changes. By organising with SIPTU, workers will be in a better position to protect jobs and the delivery of vital community services.”
Services and Jobs focus of Disability Campaign
The SIPTU Community Sector is to launch a campaign to safeguard quality Personal Assistant (PA) services and jobs with workers, service users and providers later this year.
SIPTU activist and PA, Stephanie McNamara, said: “People with disabilities deserve the right to fully participate in their communities, to have an education, a job and family. For many people with significant disabilities this is made possible by SIPTU members who work as PAs in the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Centres for Independent Living.”
Since 2008 the overall disability budget has been cut by €159 million and PAs have suffered pay cuts and reduced hours. Meanwhile demand for PA services and other home care support grows.
The Department of Health is also proposing to put the Assisted Living Service out to tender; if this happens unchecked it will drive down wages for PAs. The impact of tendering in home care services for elderly people has resulted in some private companies paying as little as €9 per hour to workers.
However, the SIPTU PA campaign will focus on increasing funding and ensuring fair rates of pay.
For more information contact Shonagh Byrne at 01 858 6381 or sbyrne@siptu.ie.
SIPTU activist and PA, Stephanie McNamara, said: “People with disabilities deserve the right to fully participate in their communities, to have an education, a job and family. For many people with significant disabilities this is made possible by SIPTU members who work as PAs in the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Centres for Independent Living.”
Since 2008 the overall disability budget has been cut by €159 million and PAs have suffered pay cuts and reduced hours. Meanwhile demand for PA services and other home care support grows.
The Department of Health is also proposing to put the Assisted Living Service out to tender; if this happens unchecked it will drive down wages for PAs. The impact of tendering in home care services for elderly people has resulted in some private companies paying as little as €9 per hour to workers.
However, the SIPTU PA campaign will focus on increasing funding and ensuring fair rates of pay.
For more information contact Shonagh Byrne at 01 858 6381 or sbyrne@siptu.ie.
High Level Forum brings together workers and decision-makers
A new High Level Forum for the Community Sector will bring together workers’ representatives directly with officials from government departments and agencies.
SIPTU and Impact negotiators proposed the establishment of the Forum during the talks leading up to the Lansdowne Road agreement. The creation of this Forum is a significant breakthrough for workers in the Community Sector.
It has been agreed that government departments and statutory agencies’ officials will meet on an ongoing basis in the High Level Forum to:
• Ensure the effective exchange of information on relevant
issues in the Sector
• Receive updates on public expenditure levels in the sector
• Receive regular information updates on service delivery
and best outcomes in the Sector
• Address with full consideration issues such as pensions and terms and conditions of employment related to employment in the Sector
The High Level Forum will be convened by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will meet on a quarterly basis.
SIPTU Vice President, Gene Mealy, a lead negotiator in the talks establishing the new High Level Forum, said: “This Forum is probably the most important initiative secured for workers in the sector in recent years. It overcomes a major difficulty experienced by unions in resolving any serious industrial relations issues affecting their members. While recourse to the Labour Court has resulted in
supportive recommendations some government departments and agencies have failed to honour them.
“The new High Level Forum for the sector provides a formal mechanism to enable fruitful engagement and negotiated solutions for union members.”
SIPTU and Impact negotiators proposed the establishment of the Forum during the talks leading up to the Lansdowne Road agreement. The creation of this Forum is a significant breakthrough for workers in the Community Sector.
It has been agreed that government departments and statutory agencies’ officials will meet on an ongoing basis in the High Level Forum to:
• Ensure the effective exchange of information on relevant
issues in the Sector
• Receive updates on public expenditure levels in the sector
• Receive regular information updates on service delivery
and best outcomes in the Sector
• Address with full consideration issues such as pensions and terms and conditions of employment related to employment in the Sector
The High Level Forum will be convened by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will meet on a quarterly basis.
SIPTU Vice President, Gene Mealy, a lead negotiator in the talks establishing the new High Level Forum, said: “This Forum is probably the most important initiative secured for workers in the sector in recent years. It overcomes a major difficulty experienced by unions in resolving any serious industrial relations issues affecting their members. While recourse to the Labour Court has resulted in
supportive recommendations some government departments and agencies have failed to honour them.
“The new High Level Forum for the sector provides a formal mechanism to enable fruitful engagement and negotiated solutions for union members.”
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