IMPACT and Siptu will host a series of meetings in Galway and Roscommon over the issue of €7.5 million in unpaid premium payments to 400 social care staff working in the Brothers of Charity and Ability West services in both counties. The unpaid premium payments have accrued over the last ten years.

IMPACT assistant general secretary Padraig Mulligan explained that both unions have been endeavouring to secure the payment of the twilight premium (time and one sixth between 8pm and midnight) for social care workers and leaders in Brothers of Charity Services and Ability West for some time. He said the unions had already succeeded in securing payment from January 2015, but the arrears payment remains outstanding.

Padraig said the HSE accepted the legal entitlement of staff to the payments at a Labour Relations Commission (LRC) meeting last week. But he said the health body “equivocated over their liability to pay the historic arrears accruing to these staff since the entitlement arose. They have told us that they do not have the monies to pay these arrears and that paying twilight premium time going forward is the best they can do.

“This is not an acceptable position as far as we are concerned, particularly in light of the fact that last week they just paid all back monies to agencies in Dublin. If they can pay it to staff in Dublin they can pay it in Galway and Roscommon” he said.

Padraig explained the unions are holding a series of meetings to take direction from members on a response to the developments.

 
The meetings take place as follows:

For all social care workers/leaders members in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway & Ability West:

Venue: The Clayton Hotel, Dublin Road, Galway

Date: Thursday, 26th March, 2015

Time: 12 noon to 3.00 p.m.

For all social care workers/leaders members in the Brothers of Charity Services, Roscommon & Ability West:

Venue: The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon

Date: Wednesday, 1st April, 2015

Time: 12 noon to 3.00 p.m.