Unions have expressed their frustration over a lack of progress on the issue of pay parity for workers in the community and voluntary sector.
The organisations involved include Section 39, Section 56, Section 10 and Section 40 agencies.
These are privately run charities and organisations contracted by the State to provide services in areas such as health and homeless supports.
Unions met with representatives from various government departments today to discuss commitments to restore pay parity with workers directly employed by the State.
“Despite well-publicised commitments given – with regard to pay parity for workers in the sector – the government representatives in attendance advised the unions they had no mandate to address the issue,” according to a statement issued on behalf of ICTU, Fórsa, SIPTU and the INMO.
“On behalf of their members unions expressed their extreme frustration at the continuing lack of urgency to resolve the matter,” the unions said.
They added that they are calling on the Government to mandate its officials to negotiate in advance of the election.
“While we remain available to engage, if the current impasse continues we will find ourselves facing an unnecessary dispute,” the unions said.
The issue of pay for Section 39 workers came to the fore in recent days following an encounter between the Taoiseach Simon Harris and disability worker Charlotte Fallon in Kanturk, Co Cork.
