A date has been confirmed for an engagement at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), following recent union efforts to recommence the adjourned WRC negotiations on pay in health service employments in the community and voluntary sector. These employments are often known as section 39, 56,and 10 organisations.   

The parties are to reconvene at the WRC on Monday 3rd March. 

The new Programme for Government contains a commitment to "to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of disability services and the long-term viability of organisations within the sector," and it’s reported that a plan will be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD. 

The ICTU-led group of unions contacted Minister Foley in recent weeks, seeking the recommencement of talks, following her appointment in January. Unions have continued to pursue the completion of a talks process aimed at creating pay parity between healthcare workers in the sector and their equivalents in the HSE and Section 38 employments.  

The 2023 WRC agreement provided for a process to re-establish the link to public service pay terms, as the community and voluntary sector continues with the challenge of recruiting and retaining skilled healthcare workers. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.