Up to 5,000 people employed across 18 community and voluntary sector agencies are due to go on strike tomorrow. These workers are employed by agencies which are funded by the HSE and by other State bodies. These workers are taking strike action because they are receiving less pay than staff employed directly by the State even though their jobs are similar. This is because they are on different terms and conditions to workers directly employed by the HSE. The workers who will go on strike are working in Section 39 (health and disability services), Section 56 (services to children) and Section 10 (homeless services) community services.

Brenda Heffernan is one of the workers who are due to strike tomorrow; she’s employed by the Kerry Parents and Friends organisation. She’s also the mother of Sharon who’s a service user there. Jerry also spoke to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.