SIPTU members in several community organisations in county Waterford have begun a ballot for industrial action.
It's due to a long running pay dispute, which could result in a 24-hour work stoppage by workers on Wednesday 6th July.
In a statement, SIPTU said the schemes in Waterford being balloted are Active People Community Group, Waterford CLG, Ballybeg CDP, Cappoquin Community Employment, Caring in Waterford, Childcare Development Project CLG, Compact Community CE Scheme, Tay Valley CLG, Waterford Centre for Independent Living, West Waterford Community Development and West Waterford GAA Clubs.
In addition, the Irish Wheelchair Association and several local community employment schemes across the country are part of the ballot for this initial stage of industrial action.
SIPTU Organiser, Peter O’Brien, said: “These workers provide vital services for their clients and communities. The last thing they want is to be forced into taking industrial action. However, they have been left with no option due to the fact that most have not had a pay rise in more than a decade. They know this will result in a degree of hardship for those that depend on their services but believe that they have the support of their clients and communities in this fight.”
O’Brien added that the dispute is due to "the failure of successive Governments to adequately fund the community sector and Section 39 organisations."
He said this has resulted in SIPTU members being left way behind in terms of pay and conditions because of a break down in a previous link between their terms of employment with those of workers in the public sector.
"This is despite many of these workers carrying out roles which are directly comparable to those of public servants and vital to their local communities," he added.
SIPTU said the current inflation rate and wider cost of living crisis is pushing many of these workers into the ranks of the working poor unable to afford basic necessities.
The campaign of industrial action in these selected workplace is part of a campaign supported by SIPTU, ICTU, Fórsa and the INMO.
More here on the latest news for Waterford.
