Caredoc strike: conflicting reports on pay dispute resolution as further industrial action looms
Caredoc workersf pictured on strike at their headquarters in Carlow. Pic: © Michael O’Rourke Photography
STAFF at Caredoc in the southeast completed a 24-hour work stoppage this morning over an unpaid pay increase, with unions maintaining the dispute remains unresolved despite government claims to the contrary.
Around 270 workers, including 150 INMO nurses and 120 SIPTU members working as drivers, call takers and receptionists, withdrew their labour from 6pm yesterday until 9am today in the first of several planned strikes over the Christmas period.
The industrial action closed Caredoc’s out-of-hours GP services and treatment centres across Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and South Wicklow. Pickets were mounted outside Caredoc clinics in Carlow, Clonmel, Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny.
The unions are seeking implementation of an 8% pay increase due to their members under an October 2023 Workplace Relations Commission agreement for Section 39 organisations. The HSE has already provided €647,834 to Caredoc to fund this increase, but workers claim the money has not been applied to their salaries.
On Thursday evening, the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill issued a statement saying matters between Caredoc and the HSE “have been resolved by agreement” following mediation, and expressing hope this would “create the conditions for Caredoc as employer to respond positively to the concerns of their staff”.
The HSE told that following on from the minister's statement, it would not be commenting further on the matter. has also reached out to Caredoc for comment.
However, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation responded that unions have not received a formal offer from the company, stating the dispute is not resolved. The unions said they would await details of discussions between the HSE and Caredoc that they were not party to.
As of the morning of Friday 19 December, further work stoppages are scheduled for Tuesday 23 December, Saturday 27 December, Monday 29 December, Tuesday 30 December and Friday 2 January in the absence of a resolution but it is understood that all parties are currently meeting to work towards a resolution.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser Ger McNally said in a statement published on the SIPTU website this morning that members had remained available to engage with management throughout the process but were “left with no alternative” in the absence of meaningful proposals.
“Caredoc management knows what is needed to resolve this dispute,” Mr McNally said. “We call on Caredoc and the HSE to use the remaining time to bring forward proposals that will resolve this dispute.”
Caredoc out-of-hours GP services will resume as normal at 6pm this evening. The company has apologised for the inconvenience and disruption, describing the action as outside its control.
