News

SIPTU members have endorsed a demand for a new deal on pay for health workers  in Ireland at the union’s Health Division Biennial Conference.

Addressing delegates, SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “The message from our members is loud, clear and decisive. We want to reclaim the ground lost since the economic collapse and win a new deal for health that is underpinned by better health care for patients and better jobs for health workers.

“This new deal must include accelerated pay restoration, real pay progression and a commitment to pay justice for new entrants to the health service workforce.”

Joe O' Flynn, General Secretary of SIPTU  reminded the delegates: "Where unions are weak, inequality grows - We have a duty to build union density in order to promote equality."

UNICARE Director Adrian Durtschi and UNI Europe Natalie Swann  addressed the conference: “It is vital to ensure that the healthcare system provides quality care and invests in the staff , through decent jobs, that will deliver it. What’s more, with the growth of private healthcare providers both in Ireland and across Europe, we must work together to ensure quality pay and conditions to workers across the healthcare sector, where the work of these professionals and their contribution to a healthy society is truly recognised. For that we need to organise and strengthen our unions ”

To loud applause, the delegates reacted to a request for international solidarity for the struggle of the colombian care union Sintrasaludcol .