In the early hours of Tuesday morning (17th October), just before community and voluntary sector workers were due to begin an indefinite strike action, unions secured an agreement at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), offering a clear path to resolving the long running pay dispute.
Workers in Section 39 (health and disability services) Section 56 (services to children), Section 10 (homeless services), had balloted for industrial action earlier this year to address pay inequality, where workers in these organisations are paid far less than their counterparts doing equivalent work in the HSE. This pay inequality has led to a recruitment and retention crisis which is crippling the services that care for Ireland’s most vulnerable people.
The interim agreement addresses the core issue of pay inequality through proposed pay raises and a commitment to developing a mechanism to align the pay of Section 39, 10 and 56 workers with public sector pay.
This agreement is a significant step forward. We are closer to pay parity than we have been in a decade. It sets out a clear path for pay increases and there is a clear commitment to restoration of the link with public sector pay.
For the first time the Government has acknowledged the need for sustainable funding in the sector, that the lack of funding has led to a recruitment and retention crisis, and that the pay of workers in Section 39, 10 and 56 organisations has fallen behind equivalent and comparable grades in public service organisations.
The details of the interim agreement are:
- The pay of workers will be adjusted as follows:
- An increase of 3% from 1 April 2023
- An increase of 2% from 1 November 2023
- An increase of 3% from 1 March 2024
- The WRC will convene parties to this interim agreement no later than 1 December 2023. The purpose of this engagement will be to agree further adjustments in funding for organisations and their staff that will have regard to the terms of Building Momentum and the terms of any successor agreement.
Speaking about the interim agreement Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said: “The interim agreement is a first step towards addressing the terms and conditions of workers in Section 39, 10 and 56 agencies and restoring the link with public sector pay. This proposal will now be put to members.”
Ashley continued “The commitment and courage of our members who were prepared to take indefinite strike action strengthened our hand during these difficult negotiations. I want to thank all our members, supporters and the service users who all worked together to raise the issue with politicians and stakeholders.”
The next steps will include organising information sessions on the agreement and informing members of balloting arrangements. If you have further questions about the agreement, please contact your local branch official.
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