Public service union IMPACT has approached the European Commission about a claim that health employers are in breach of working time legislation over residential care staff who are often required to sleep over where they work. IMPACT says that some staff are routinely required to work a 63-hour week and are only paid a sleepover allowance. The union wants to see a properly enforced 39-hour week with any overtime paid at a higher rate, including any sleepover time. It is also calling for staff just to have one sleepover night a week.
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Union takes working time case to Commission
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Unions win working time case
The three unions that organise in the residential care sector - IMPACT, SIPTU and Unite - have won a significant victory in the Labour Court. In a recent ruling the Court recommended that all sleepover time should, in line with legislation, be recognised as working time and so paid at least the minimum wage hourly rate. This means an increase from €3.27 to €8.65 for some workers. The unions will now follow this up to ensure employers apply the ruling. [Read more at > IMPACT->http://www.impact.ie/14/09/18/Unions-say-Labour-Court-recommendation-a-major-breakthrough-for-residential-care-staff-
Firefighters win working time case
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