Community schemes across Donegal will be affected by a five-day strike planned by Community Employment (CE) supervisors next week.
CE Supervisors and Assistants have announced plans to take industrial action from Monday 13th May over access to pensions.
In addition to the strike, staff will stage a protest each day outside Minister Joe McHugh’s Constituency Office in Letterkenny.
There are 48 CE Supervisors/Assistants in Donegal with over 1,200 participants looking after a wide range of community projects.
The five-day strike will have an impact on community employment schemes across the country including those providing childcare, elderly-care and drug rehabilitation services.
Some 1,250 CE staff nationwide are striking due to concerns over a lack of access to an occupational pension scheme, despite a Labour Court recommendation in 2008 that the Government should provide them with one.
SIPTU Organiser, Eddie Mullins is calling on Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe to agree to meet the union to discuss workers’ rights to a pension.
Mr Mullins said: “It is deeply unfortunate but this action will inevitably have an impact on both CE schemes and the communities in which they provide services. Participants may not get paid and progress in community schemes will be halted due to the lack of supervisory management.
“Paschal Donohoe should respect these workers and the vital community services provided by their community employment schemes. He must meet with their representatives to discuss why after more than 10 years they still do not have a pension.”
Tags:
