BY CJ MCGINLEY

STRIKE notice has been served on the owners of a nursing home in Milford over pay and working conditions. SIPTU Branch Organiser, Mr Martin O'Rourke said he was bitterly disappointed the company had failed to discuss issues of concern for over three months.

Yesterday (Thursday) the directors of Aras Ui Dhomhnaill, Private Nursing Home in Milford said they were open to negotiations at all times.

The company claimed the vote by workers was in the way of a secret ballot. They said they were not made aware that employees were in a union or they had any grievance until January.

Mr O'Rourke said he had written to the company but was disappointed that as representatives of the majority of the workforce they had had failed to secure a meeting.

"After 21 years of social partnership we have now been forced to engage in threatening strike action to ensure the collective voices are heard in the workplace," Mr O'Rourke said.

"We had written to the employer to seek a meeting and we expected as per best practice that they would have responded but thus far they have failed to address our memberships issues. We are disappointed that the worker's patience and perseverance over this extended period was not rewarded," he said.

SIPTU represents up to 16 care assistants in the nursing home.

"These committed workers who care for the old and vulnerable in our society have very reluctantly decided that unless they are able to secure reasonable improvements in their terms and conditions of employment they will engage in Strike Action. It speaks volumes about the character and calibre of these workers that the only thing they demand to avert the unnecessary dispute are reasonable improvements. They do not make unsustainable or any unreasonable demands, only that they be afforded what is normal and in accordance with best practice," Mr O'Rourke said.

"With Ireland's changing demographics it is becoming more likely that we will end our lives in retirement homes. It is thus self evident that it is in all our interests to ensure that the workers who will provide our end of life care are well paid, well trained and well motivated. If we fail to ensure that this standard is reached then we may find we will endure an utterly depressing retirement. In this regard we call upon all right thinking people to offer support to these workers during this struggle," he added.

Mr O'Rourke urged all nursing home workers to join SIPTU, so that together they could make a better future for both workers and patients.

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