Longford staff being used as 'pawns' in pay row

An ongoing pay row is continuing between over 130 staff at St Christopher's in Longford and management with industrial action on the horizon.

The dispute centres on the non-payment of increments promised under a previous pay agreement.

In May, proposed industrial action at St Christopher's Services, Longford was postponed, pending the start of talks in the Workplace Relations

Management stated that a HSE directive had prevented the payment of the increments to staff at the intellectual disabilities provider.

Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty said he has 'immense sympathy and understanding' for staff.

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The Lanesboro-based politician said the 'difficulty' is that it is a 'Section 39' organisation and they have their terms and conditions at St Christopher's as opposed to the Department of Health/ HSE.

"Notwithstanding that a consultation process has been underway with the unions and the HSE at the WRC (Work Relations Commission)," he said. "Significant progress was made last year and agreement was reached on a significant part of their pay concerns and at the moment there is an agreement in principal through a €1.25million payment to staff at St Christopher's."

Deputy Flaherty said his understanding is the HSE is awaiting a letter of determination from the department to authorise the HSE to pay that money.

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"My understanding from the department is they are waiting for further commitments from the HSE at local level prior to issuing that,” he said. “I suppose that is unfair from a staff perspective in that they are probably, it is fair to say, being used as pawns in these negotiations and the staff need to be paid that money.”

Meanwhile, Senator Micheál Carrigy, who said he fully supports staff, has expressed his disappointment at the continued failure to resolve the pay dispute despite an agreement appearing to be close on several occasions.

“This industrial action was taken as a last resort by staff who are fully committed to the duty of care they provide to the service users," he said. "It is disheartening that the €1.3 million has not been released and this must be addressed immediately.”

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Senator Carrigy stated the staff have been patient and professional throughout this process, and it is unacceptable they are still waiting for the issues to be resolved.”

The Fine Gael representative said he is commied to advocating for the staff and service users at St Christopher’s and he has urged the relevant parties to to resolve the dispute.