St Joseph's Centre grading dispute
Deputy Boyd Barrett raised a pay and grading dispute at St. Joseph's Centre in Shankill, where staff are threatening industrial action over domestic-grade classifications. The Taoiseach urged use of the industrial relations machinery, but the Deputy said that avenue had already been tried.
St. Joseph's Centre in Shankill is the largest care home dedicated solely to dementia care in the country. SIPTU members feel compelled to take industrial action tomorrow because of the failure of St. John of God's to recognise the work and duties that they do. They are employed at a domestic grade, but, in reality, they do jobs way beyond that. They feed people, drive people around and do care duties, but St. John of God's is refusing to acknowledge that in terms of their grading and their pay structure. Nothing was offered when the case went to the Workplace Relations Commission, so the workers feel compelled to take industrial action tomorrow. Many of them have been working there for ten , 15 or 20 years. One person has been there for 37 years. These workers deserve to be recognised for the duties they do. Will the Taoiseach intervene with St. John of God's so they do not have to continue with their justified industrial action?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising an important issue. Those around me are saying it is an excellent centre that provides great care. The industrial relations machinery should be used.
Comment on this
It is not working. It has been done.
Comment on this
St. John of God's should engage with the industrial relations machinery to resolve this issue. That is the most effective way of doing it.
Comment on this
It has been done.