Unions representing workers in the community and voluntary sector have been invited to talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) next month in a bid to resolve a dispute over pay.
Earlier this week, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley brought a plan to Cabinet aimed at addressing the issues.
Unions have been asked to attend the WRC on 3 March.
Section 39 organisations are privately owned charities and agencies that are contracted by the State to provide healthcare services.
Unions representing Section 39 workers have accused the Government of failing to honour a pay agreement struck at the WRC in October 2023.
The deal included a commitment to restore the pay link between the public sector and the community and voluntary sector.
Earlier this month, SIPTU announced it was to begin a ballot for strike action of up to 5,000 members working in 21 Section 39 organisations.
The Programme for Government does not contain a specific reference to Section 39 workers but it does commit to “…progress pay issues that affect the delivery of disability services and the long-term viability of organisations within the sector.”
