Protest in Limerick over non-payment of Covid-19 solidarity cash
CLEANERS and security guards based at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have held a protest over the alleged non-payment of a Covid-19 bonus.
Around 40 front-line workers took time out of their coffee break to gather at the gates of the Dooradoyle facility for the demonstration, backed by their trade union Siptu.
They were joined by colleagues across Ireland as part of the coordinated effort.
Siptu organiser Rachel Keane explained how these staff were promised a €1,000 one-off payment from the State to recognise the fact they worked in dangerous conditions through the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said when the solidarity payment was initially discussed, cleaners, security guards and caterers were initially told they were in line for it alongside nurses and doctors.
“Then we found out after that they weren't on the list. We campaigned very strongly, and in November 2022, we finally got caterers, security and cleaners on the list. We were hoping for a payment very soon after that. But we're six months after, and still we have nothing,” Ms Keane said.
For its part, the HSE which is responsible for administering the grant, said the process of making the payments to the private companies which employ these staff - since many are contractors - is ongoing.
“This includes certain requests such as clarifications to ensure the eligibility of staff in line with the government decision. We must be mindful the funding provided is done so correctly,” a spokesperson said.
One of the cleaning staff who took part in the demonstration last Thursday Vera Dillon, Thomondgate, said: “We put our own health at risk. It feels unfair as government had said we'd all get it.”
Her colleague Pauline Fitzpatrick, who is based near UHL in Dooradoyle added: “It'd make a big difference to us. We worked hard enough. We never missed. Our holidays had to be cancelled and we played by the rules.”
“We didn't want to let the patients down,” Ms Fitzpatrick concluded.