SIPTU Section 39 Workers In Bray To Ballot For Strike Over Government Inaction On Pay

The union represents 5,000 Section 39 workers, which covers services such as disability and home care supports.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Damian Ginley, said: “The plight of Section 39 workers took centre stage during the General Election campaign. Senior politicians from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were falling over themselves to offer support and solutions, in the media and their election manifestos.

“However, their fine words ring hollow when we examine the Programme for Government. The incoming Government has failed to include an adequate commitment to address the pay injustice that Section 39 workers face. Our members’ patience has now run out; they are saying enough is enough and want to take action. The Government must stop treating our members, who provide essential disability care, elder care, and home support services, as second class.”

He added: “The failure of successive governments to deliver on pay justice for Section 39 workers has left our members struggling with low wages, while the organisations they work for face relentless recruitment and retention crises that undermine services.”

The Section 39 organisations in Wicklow included in the first round of ballots are:

•  Bray Home Care Service
•  Disability Federation of Ireland                                            
•  Rehab Group