Staff employed by Caredoc have formally notified management of planned Caredoc industrial action South East, beginning Thursday, December 18th.

Workers represented by SIPTU plan to hold a protest outside the HSE Community Care Centre on Cork Road.

Workers Point to Long-Running Pay Dispute

Staff say the dispute has continued for more than two years without resolution.

Union representatives say the action follows prolonged engagement with management and the HSE.

The background to the pay claim featured recently on Deise Today, outlined by SIPTU representative Ger McNally.

Unions say talks between Caredoc management and the HSE began on Monday, December 15th.

They say those discussions have not yet produced an agreement.

Caredoc Appeals for Strike Suspension

Caredoc has called on SIPTU and the INMO to suspend the planned strike on humanitarian grounds.

The company said the action affects out-of-hours GP services in the South East, northwest, and south Wicklow.

Caredoc said the 24-hour strike coincides with its busiest period of the year.

It warned that a winter flu epidemic is placing extra strain on hospitals and GP services.

Caredoc said strike action would worsen an already pressured situation and risk patient safety.

Company Says Engagement Is Ongoing

Caredoc said it remains committed to intensive engagement with the HSE.

It said it aims to restore pay parity between its staff and HSE equivalents.

The company said pay parity existed up to 2021.

Caredoc said it will make every effort to minimise disruption to patients and families.

HSE Says Funding Already Provided

The HSE described Caredoc as a provider of GP out-of-hours services.

It said the dispute exists because Caredoc has not passed on pay increases to staff.

The HSE said it provided additional funding in March 2025 through WRC talks.

That funding also went to Southdoc and Shannondoc, which passed increases to staff.

Money Allocated to Caredoc South East

The HSE said it allocated €647,000 to Caredoc South East.

It said GP out-of-hours services operate under GMS contracts, not Section 39 arrangements.

The HSE said unions accepted this distinction during WRC discussions.

It said Caredoc argues that paying staff could affect its Section 39 claim.

HSE Calls Action Premature

The HSE said mediation with Caredoc is ongoing.

It said a further significant offer has been made to support resolution.

The HSE said industrial action remains unnecessary while talks continue.

The planned Caredoc industrial action South East will proceed unless an agreement is reached.

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