Over 400 Personal Assistants are calling for their first pay rise in 14 years.
Over 400 Personal Assistants working for the Irish Wheelchair Association are on strike today, in a dispute over pay.
Today's industrial action is part of wider campaign across the care and community sector, which is set to see further strike action in the coming weeks.
The IWA operates a centre in Clonmore in Offaly; St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar; and St. Fintan's Hospital in Portlaoise.
SIPTU's Adrian Kane says the IWA personal assistants are seeking their first pay rise in 14 years:
SIPTU members employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association have voted 97% to 3% to conduct a work stoppage on 5th July, at its care centres across the country in a pay dispute in which they are demanding their first wage rise for 14 years.
— SIPTU (@SIPTU) June 27, 2022
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The government is being urged to engage with unions representing the care and community sector, or face further industrial action in September.
SIPTU is warning that their pay rates are so poor staff are looking for work elsewhere.
Mr. Kane says today's one day strike is just the start of a wider campaign:
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