Management at St. Michael’s House has made a specific commitment to protecting the employment of staff in one of the country’s largest providers of community-based services to people with intellectual disabilities. The commitment was made in a joint statement yesterday (Thursday) following meetings with IMPACT, SIPTU and the INMO representing St Michael’s House staff.

Earlier this week, IMPACT had warned that an earlier plan to cut 40 staff breached the Haddington Road agreement and would devastate services. Management had written to staff saying it was seeking cuts including job losses, close of day, residential and respite services, Sunday closures, and reduced transport services.

Meetings this week gave trade unions an opportunity to raise concerns about the notice to staff. IMPACT members in St Micheal’s House are being represented by officials Catherine Keogh and Stella Griffin. All parties agreed to issue a joint statement to clarify those concerns.

The statement said “St. Michael’s House is fully committed to implementing the terms of the Haddington Road agreement. Discussions are ongoing in relation to the Proposals for Change document put forward by St. Michael's House management to the trade unions. These joint meetings are taking place in keeping with the spirit of the agreement” and emphasised “An objective contained in this document is a commitment by St. Michael’s House to protect the employment of St. Michael’s House staff”. 

An information meeting will take place next Thursday, 12th September, at 6.30pm in St Michael's House Ballymun.