Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

SIPTU members employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association are on strike today. They are on the picket line because they have not had a pay increase in 14 years. Even though they do the same work as HSE healthcare assistants, they are paid a lot less, which is €3 per hour less. As the Tánaiste will be aware, this is a common problem across section 39 organisations.

These are organisations which do incredible work and provide vital services and yet are not adequately funded by the Government. Workers then pay the price in the form of poor wages. None of the workers at the Irish Wheelchair Association wants to be on strike. They want to be back at work. The Government needs to get real here and engage with the union with the aim of achieving pay parity for these essential workers.

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