Anger as redundancy dispute for Limerick workers is unresolved
A MOTION has been passed in the Seanad calling on Rehab to honour a “long-standing redundancy agreement' in relation to 38 former staff at Rehab Enterprises who were made redundant two years ago.
Limerick-based Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan says many of the workers are “heartbroken” given how they have been treated.
Last week, he submitted a motion calling on the Rehab Group to honour the redundancy agreement which was reached with SIPTU.
The motion was seconded by Senator Lynn Boylan and passed without a vote.
The Limerick workers who were made redundant by Rehab Enterprises in Raheen in 2021, have not yet received their agreed redundancy packages.
A protest organised by the trade union SIPTU took place outside of RehabCare offices at Parnell Street in Limerick city centre last week, where Senator Paul Gavan addressed the protestors himself.
He said: “A motion lodged by Sinn Féin received the support of the entire Seanad. It calls on management to implement the recommendation made by the Labour Court and honour the redundancy agreement that Rehab has with SIPTU.”
Adding that the dispute “beggars belief”, Senator Gavan continued by stating the refusal to pay workers by a company that receives “millions in state funding each year”, means that there is “simply no excuse” for lack of payment.
“I hope the united voice of the Seanad will bring further pressure to bear on Rehab to finally do the right thing.
“These workers gave many years of loyal service to Rehab, decades in some cases, and yet here they are two years on still waiting for their full redundancy in line with the union agreement,” said Senator Gavan.
The dispute previously went before the Labour Court, as the Rehab Group claimed it was not able to pay the additional €900,000 required to pay staff - some who had spent 25 years working with the organisation.
Senator Gavan concluded by saying: “Both Maurice (Quinlivan) and I are proud members of the SIPTU trade union and we will support this campaign until justice is delivered for these workers.”
SIPTU members, formerly employed by the Rehab Group in Limerick, delivered a letter into the office of Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell, to demand action to ensure they are paid their outstanding entitlements.
The latest protest, on March 22, was the second in a SIPTU campaign seeking justice for the former RehabCare workers, following a demonstration outside the organisation’s headquarters in Dublin in February.
SIPTU Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “Many of the 38 workers involved live with a disability and others have particular occupational needs. They expect Rehab Group to honour its obligations as a matter of urgency and pay them their outstanding redundancy entitlements in full.”