Thousands of workers who care for the elderly and disabled have voted overwhelmingly for strike action

Siptu announced that its members from Section 39 organisations overwhelmingly supported strike action, with a 96% vote, highlighting ongoing wage disputes. The issue gained attention during a general election campaign when disability care worker Charlotte Fallon confronted former Taoiseach Simon Harris about low pay for caregivers. Workers are demanding that their wages align with public servants' pay increases. Negotiations are scheduled with employer representatives at the Workplace Relations Commission, aiming to resolve the dispute following the government's previous unfulfilled commitments.

"We cannot be let down again," said Martha Buckley, a Section 39 worker and Siptu activist. "The previous incarnation of this Government failed to honour its commitments to justly deal with our long-standing pay claim."

Employer representatives and unions are due to meet for talks in a bid to resolve the dispute at the Workplace Relations Commission on Monday.

Read at Irish Independent