No sign of breakthrough in Manor dispute
More than 40 staff at Our Lady Manor's Nursing Home in Edgeworthstown are still no nearer to returning to their place of work as strike proceedings enter an eighth week.
After early signs of a possible break in the deadlock before the local elections and despite a meeting having been held between union officials and management last month, hopes of a breakthrough have gradually faded.
Such is the sensitivity around the rift both union officials and management have refrained from issuing any fresh comments on the impasse.
The row centres on what SIPTU claims are unjust attempts by owners John Noel and Sarah Ann McGivney to drive down wages, a move SIPTU claims has resulted in the withdrawal of early morning and night shift allowances, as well as a pension and sick-pay scheme.
Other changes workers are understood to be aggrieved over include a reduction in Sunday premium rates from double time to time plus a quarter, the introduction of new work rosters, a reduction in annual leave entitlements to 20 days and a reduction in hours, union representatives maintain were all made without prior agreement.
The McGivneys in an earlier statement disputed a number of the claims put forward by the union.
In an open letter to the Leader this week, Fine Gael Deputy James Bannon warned of the potential long term ramifications for the nursing home if the dispute continues in its current format.
"It's now more than ever time that this dispute between the management of Our Lady's Manor and the staff is resolved once and for all, in the interest of staff, management, patients and their families. I believe that an independent process should be initiated to properly adjudicate the varying claims made by both sides.
"Current attitudes could have a long-term detrimental impact on the Manor's staff and management, who provide a very good quality nursing home care service in the Midlands.
"I am suggesting that an independent arbitrator be appointed to facilitate a new negotiation process, with staff and management agreeing to the postponement of industrial action and other measures until the process is completed," he stated.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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