Leitrim among areas to be affected as unions confirm Caredoc strike going ahead

The INMO and SIPTU have confirmed that the Caredoc strike will proceed this week, next week and throughout the Christmas period, beginning tomorrow, December 18.

Caredoc has failed to pass on agreed pay increases to staff, despite having received funding from the HSE specifically for that purpose. The unpaid eight percent pay increase was agreed in 2023.

The INMO and SIPTU say there has been no meaningful engagement with the employer, Caredoc, to avert the dispute.

This follows a call made by Caredoc earlier today on the unions to suspend the proposed strike action on humanitarian grounds, citing the impact on out-of-hours GP services and patients.

The strike action is expected to affect services in North Leitrim, Sligo, West Cavan, Donegal, the Southeast and South Wicklow.

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In a statement, Caredoc said the current winter flu epidemic, expected to peak over the Christmas period, is particularly virulent this year, at a time when hospitals and GP services are already struggling to maintain adequate cover, urging that the strike not proceed.

The first of the pickets will take place from 10am to 2pm tomorrow in Carlow, Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary and Kilkenny.

“It is clear that Caredoc have no solution or alternative plan to avert the action. Their hands-off attitude to paying staff what they are owed is now back-firing. It is clear from their public commentary that they seem to be philosophically opposed to using their profits to pay their staff a fair wage,” said Gráinne Walsh, INMO Industrial Relations Officer.

“The action being taken by the INMO and SIPTU will cause disruption at one of the busiest times for out-of-hours services,” she added.

She said the strike will also have knock-on effects on other out-of-hours GP services, stressing that members have no desire to withdraw services but that “all other avenues have been exhausted.”

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“We are willing to meet with management and to consider an interim proposal that delivers the funds already provided, along with an agreed mechanism to resolve the outstanding matters. However, Caredoc must demonstrate a genuine willingness to engage,” said Ms Walsh.