The Government has approved a 5% pay increase for more than 1,600 supervisors and team leaders of employment support schemes.
The pay deal will benefit employees of organisations that manage Community Employment Schemes, Tús, the Rural Social Scheme and Job Initiative.
The workers will see a pay increase of 3% from 1 April 2023, which will be backdated, and a further 2% from 1 November 2023.
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys briefed her Cabinet colleagues of the details of the agreement this morning.
“I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that these supervisors and team leaders provide in running these schemes all over the country,” Ms Humphreys said.
“I am aware of the issues raised by these employees through the regular engagement I have had with them in recent years and I am pleased to announce the approval of funding for these increases today,” she added
Minister of State Joe O’Brien described the pay deal as a significant improvement for the workers.
“Over 1,600 employees working to provide services to local communities will benefit from these increases,” Mr O’Brien said.
Community and voluntary sector workers staged a number of strikes last year calling for better pay and conditions and this agreement followed engagement with unions at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Last month, community workers who are members of Fórsa and SIPTU voted in favour of the deal.
The unions have highlighted that the pay agreement relates only to staff in community sector organisations funded by the Department of Social Protection.
They have vowed to continue their campaign to secure increases for staff in organisations funded by other government departments and agencies.
Article Source – Government approves pay increase for employment support scheme staff – RTE