Healthcare Assistants at Northside Home Care Services to Begin Indefinite Strike Over Pay Dispute
Healthcare assistants employed by Northside Home Care Services (NHCS) will commence indefinite strike action from 16 January, following a dispute over exclusion from a national pay agreement covering Section 39 healthcare workers.
The strike, organised by the Independent Workers’ Union (IWU), centres on a 9.25 per cent pay deal agreed for approximately 40,000 Section 39 workers, which includes backdated payments. NHCS healthcare assistants argue they were unfairly excluded after being reclassified as “out of scope” at a late stage, despite repeated confirmations that the organisation falls under Section 39 funding arrangements.
According to the IWU, parliamentary questions submitted in July 2024 and July 2025 confirmed that Northside Home Care Services was recognised as a Section 39 service provider by the HSE. Union representatives have described the decision to exclude workers from the agreement as “a farce” and are demanding that staff be brought into line with their counterparts across the sector.
Around 30 workers were on the picket line outside the Department of Health this week, distributing leaflets and calling on the Government and the HSE to intervene. The union says workers had no desire to withdraw their labour but were left with no alternative after years of what they describe as broken promises on pay restoration.
Healthcare assistants interviewed during the protest spoke of long-standing pay inequality and financial strain. One worker said staff are seeking “pay parity” for performing the same duties as other healthcare assistants employed directly by the HSE, while earning significantly less. Another described the situation as “disrespectful,” particularly given the public praise healthcare workers received during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several workers highlighted that some newer staff are earning little more than the minimum wage, despite the demanding and skilled nature of the role. Experienced carers reported decades of service with minimal pay increases, with some stating they are earning less now than they did before pay cuts introduced during the financial crisis.
Union representatives said that during austerity, workers accepted wage reductions on the understanding that pay would be restored once the economy recovered. They argue that this restoration never materialised, while comparable workers have since benefited from successive agreements.
The dispute also raises concerns about the impact on vulnerable clients who rely on home care services. Workers stressed that their intention is to return to caring for clients as soon as a fair resolution is reached, but insist they cannot continue under current conditions.
The IWU has stated that the strike will continue indefinitely until a solution acceptable to its members is agreed. Calls have been made for the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to engage directly with workers and union representatives to resolve the dispute and prevent further disruption to essential home care services.