Running to stand still? Two decades of trade union activity in the Irish long-term care sector

Abstract

This article examines the ongoing efforts of trade unions in Ireland to protect and improve the working conditions of personal care workers amid employment and social policy regimes associated with a liberal welfare state. Comparatively low public expenditure on care and the increasing marketisation of care services have undermined the provision of decent work. This article assesses two major union campaigns related to personal care workers over two decades, and reviews the key priorities that have emerged for unions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider whether the outcomes of these campaigns have been converted into enhanced rewards for workers and discuss the continuing challenges for union campaigning.

Home care workers' views of employment conditions: private for-profit vs public and non-profit providers in Ireland

“…working on Sunday's) (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021). Many private sector care workers employed by non-profit and for-profit providers did not reap the rewards of those more favourable employment terms because their employers are not compelled to follow those agreements (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021). The benefits of union membership were also evident in relation to pay restoration post-2008 economic recession.…”

“…fuel allowances) and unsocial hours pay (e.g. working on Sunday's) (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021). Many private sector care workers employed by non-profit and for-profit providers did not reap the rewards of those more favourable employment terms because their employers are not compelled to follow those agreements (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021).…”

“…It constitutes an effective channel to access care workers employed by private for-profit providers, who are otherwise difficult to reach. Precise data are unavailable in Ireland, but it is estimated that there are 9,000-10,000 publicly (HSE) employed care workers, 6,000-14,000 privately employed and 3,500 working for non-profit organisations (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021). Eligibility to participate in the survey required respondents to have worked as a professional care worker for a home care employer that is either private, non-profit or public (HSE) during the last year.…”

Cień, który pozwala wyjść z cienia – asystencja osobista dla osób z niepełnosprawnościami w Polsce i Norwegii

“…Pandemia COVID-19 w pewnym stopniu podniosła świadomość społeczną na temat pracy w sektorze opieki, i ujawniła, że w rzeczywistości praca opiekuńcza jest daleka od "niskich kwalifikacji", co wywołało rosnącą debatę na temat zmian społecznych, które mogą być potrzebne w tym sektorze (Murphy, O'Sullivan 2021). W Polsce zaowocowało to rosnącymi naciskami społecznymi i działaniami politycznymi idącymi w kierunku deinstytucjonalizacji opieki instytucjonalnej, odchodzenia od form placówkowych na rzecz usług świadczonych w domu i ze wsparciem asystencji osobistej dla osób z niepełnosprawnościami.…”

“Getting stuck in”: body work and physical capital in non-traditional occupations

“…In terms of employment, Spasova et al (2018) contend that the sector is associated with poor working conditions including low income, lack of training, high workloads and high levels of stress. Recruitment is a challenge in the sector (Murphy and O'Sullivan, 2021). Social care services are encouraged to recruit male staff, where service users express a preference for 'samegender intimate care supports', yet the ratio of female to male staff in residential settings remains typically 9:1 (Wilson et al, 2011), which is largely reflective of front-line care roles in Europe (Boniol et al, 2019).…”