HSE criticised for Home Care Assistants' payment policy before Donegal strike

Cllr Noel Jordan has called upon the HSE to give home care workers what they were “promised eight years ago” as SIPTU members working as Home Care Assistants in the HSE Home Support Services prepare to go on strike.

The dispute stems from the HSE’s failure to implement Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreements, including pay disputes dating back to 2018, amongst other things.

Home Care Assistants within SIPTU will be on strike in Donegal on Friday, February 13, and February 20, and Home Care Assistants in different counties will take industrial action on different dates. 

Speaking at February’s Donegal Municipal District meeting, Cllr Jordan said: “This strike will commence on Friday, February 13, and Friday, February 20, and believe me, these workers don’t want to be on strike.

“They don’t want to scaremonger, but all they are asking is what they are due. It was agreed with the HSE on overtime pay.

READ NEXT: Donegal GAA SFC champions seek planning for upgraded facilities

“It is a very emotionally charged job because they are there on the good times and the bad times, but they were promised eight years ago, and every time they meet with the HSE, they were told they were going to get their due in the next quarter, and it is now eight years overdue.”

In reply, the Area Manager in Donegal Municipal District in Housing and Corporate Services, Pauric Sheerin, said: “If the members agree, we will certainly issue a letter in relation to that.”