National Advocacy Service on strike in Castlebar today
SIPTU members employed at the National Advocacy Service (NAS) taking part in strike action in Dublin as part of a pay dispute. Similar strikes are taking place around the country
Staff from the National Advocacy Service (NAS) for People with Disabilities are picketing in Castlebar today as part of nationwide strike over Labour Court recommendations over pay and conditions not being met.
NAS is a national organization that covers a wide range of issues including helping adults with disabilities and those in vulnerable situations. They have about 1,500 open cases this year and field over 3,000 phone calls per year on their national phone line.
Staff first went on strike in June, however, this strike was ended following an agreement from management that they would implement the Labour Court’s recommendation concerning their pay and conditions.
The agreement was not honoured and staff resumed their strike last week. Today, they are picketing outside of the Citizen’s Information Office on Hopkins Road in Castlebar.
Staff member Anne Feehily told the Western People that management have to agree to implement the Labour Court recommendations.
“This strike is totally avoidable and unnecessary. All we’re asking for is that the recommendation of the Labour Court, which Minister Pascal Donoghue said is the last show in town for people with industrial disputes, is implemented. It is a simple ask,” she said.
“What we have is a really valuable and essential service. Unlike people who might be going out on holidays to the sun following the Aer Lingus strike, we work with people who can’t pick up the phone to their TD or the media. We are an important support for them.”
