Frontline healthcare workers are being denied fair redundancies at three care facilities run by the Sisters of Charity.
The staff – who were let go after a “sudden” liquidation – have repeatedly requested a meeting with the Sisters of Charity, but have been repeatedly denied a meeting or commitment to fair redundancy.
A Labour Court decision last month ordered the HSE and Sisters of Charity to come to a fair conclusion, but no action has yet been taken.
Staff from the facilities will protest outside the St. Mary’s and Caritas centres on the Merrion Road, Dublin, at 11 am on Wednesday 9th September.
The workers are represented by the INMO, SIPTU, and Fórsa.
INMO Industrial Relations Executive, Bernie Stenson, said:
“It’s over a month since the Labour Court ruled on this matter, but we are still waiting for a meeting with the Sisters of Charity.
“Our members have given years of dedicated service and feel completely ignored. The very least the Sisters of Charity could do is meet with us.
“All we want is an equitable outcome – something that the Sisters of Charity can deliver. Nobody is seeking anything out of the ordinary – just a fair recognition of the dedication staff have shown.”
SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Brian Condra, said:
“We again call on the Sisters of Charity and the HSE to honour the recent Labour Court recommendation and meet with staff representatives to discuss a fair and meaningful severance package.
“Staff who remained loyal throughout times of hardship right up to the current COVID-19 outbreak deserve more than kind words, they deserve recognition for their unstinting service.”
Fórsa official Seán McElhinney said:
The staff have worked throughout the pandemic and have lost out on overtime and holiday pay, in addition to being denied fair redundancy terms.
The continuing protest efforts by Fórsa and other unions reflect our explicit expectation that the recommendation of the Labour Court, for a fair conclusion for these workers, will be fully realised.