Negotiations intended to resolve an extensive dispute concerning thousands of voluntary organisation employees, who provide health and social care services on behalf of the Government, will recommence at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this Friday. Last week’s meeting between the parties failed to produce a consensus.
Trade unions are pushing for wage increases akin to the 9.25% over two and a half years that was settled for public sector workers in January. They also desire the reinstatement of tie-ups that used to exist with state-employed staff performing similar duties.
Differences in employment terms for various workers cropped up as financial crash-triggered cutbacks were not redressed for section 39, section 56 and section 10 workers, like they were gradually for public sector employees. This situation posed significant hurdles for voluntary organisations in hiring and retaining employees.
The section numbers denote the legislative provisions that authorise organisations to deliver services to multiple government departments and agencies in health and disabilities, homelessness, and families and children areas.
Annually, the HSE itself provides more than €1 billion in funding to hundreds of service-providing organisations, catering to the needs of older people, individuals with disabilities and others with special needs.
In 2022, Rehab, Enable Ireland, and the Irish Wheelchair Association, three of the largest organisations, jointly received nearly €200 million.
Tusla and the Departments of Equality, Justice, Social Protection, and Housing are among the other funders from the government side expected to be present at the WRC.
The talks succeeding an interim agreement that prevented a strike in the sector last October.
In numerous sectors, payment of the agreed 8% last year has faced headwinds, with unions alleging attempts have been made to bypass many workers post the deal’s conclusion; a step the employers assert could exacerbate further inequalities.
Involvement of an extensive run of organisations, not part of previous talks, has added a layer of complexity to the process, as the government aims for a broader settlement.
Businesses are expressing apprehension that a poorly funded plan could potentially plunge entities receiving almost their entire earnings from the Government into considerable financial hardship. Marian Quinn, the leading executive of the Coalition of Tusla-Funded Organisations, observes that the majority of Tusla-supported organisations have disbursed an 8% payment from October to their employees, but had only received a single reimbursement, on December 1st. She has received calls from several lesser organisations, which are currently experiencing severe cash flow issues due to these payouts. While they are committed to retaining their talented workforce, this is proving to be a serious challenge for these smaller entities.
The Government negotiations are being headed by Roderic O’Gorman, who, as of Thursday, refrained from expressing any comments in anticipation of the ongoing discussions.