Staff at children’s charity Barnardos, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, have served notice of industrial action in a dispute over pay.
The workers will engage in a work-to-rule from Wednesday, 25 June.
Fórsa has accused Barnardos of failing to fully implement the terms of a 2023 pay agreement, which was brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
It has also claimed that the charity is refusing to engage with Fórsa on the matter.
The union said that just 4% of the 8% increase has been paid to staff.
Fórsa official Louise O’Hara said Barnardos management claimed the State funding it received to implement the 2023 pay deal was instead used to offset the cost of a 2022 pay increase.
“The employer has effectively withheld the balance of State funding intended to implement the agreement, yet now claims to have fulfilled its obligations in full,” Ms O’Hara said.
The ballot for industrial action was backed by more than 88% of members on a ballot turnout of 84.8%.
Fórsa has about 100 members working at Barnardos.
In the letter of notice, Fórsa national secretary Ashley Connolly said the union remains available to engage with Barnardos under the auspices of the WRC to avert the planned industrial action.
The union said any escalation of the industrial action would be preceded by seven days’ notice.
Barnardos said it is currently liaising with its 500 staff members regarding the proposed industrial action.
“We will also continue to communicate with the trade union when requested by staff members on an individual basis,” a spokesperson said.
“Separately, we continue to work with The Wheel and others in the sector to negotiate with Government for payment of the full cost of services that we deliver on their behalf,” they said.
“The fundamental issue at hand is that staff in community and voluntary organisations receive less pay than their counterparts employed by state services which has led to challenges for the sector to deliver services to children and families in need,” Barnardos said.
