Retained Firefighters Start Strike Action

Their union SIPTU is calling for improved pay and conditions

SIPTU Retained Firefighter members will begin co-ordained strike action on Tuesday, which will result in up to 50% of fire stations in the service closing in a dispute concerning a staff crisis.

Members of the retained service are part-time firefighters who are paid an annual retainer to be available for callouts.

Their union SIPTU is calling for improved pay and conditions to address a recruitment and retention crisis within the service.

Last week, retained firefighters began a campaign of industrial action, which involved refusal to co-operate with work outside of responding to emergency calls.

If there is no resolution to the dispute, this week's rolling strikes will be followed by an all-out strike on 20 June.

SIPTU represents around 2,000 retained firefighters across 200 stations around the country.

SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: “Our members have warned for some time that this strike action will result in very serious disruption to services.

"However, they have been left with no option but to commence it as the very future of the service is in doubt if the current crisis in recruitment and retention of firefighters is not resolved.”

 “SIPTU representatives today received a phone call from representatives of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.

"In this call the Minister’s representatives expressed concern over the possible impact of the dispute on emergency services. They also informed the union that the Minister will deliver ‘a positive statement’ in relation to the dispute in a Dáil debate on the matter tomorrow," she added.

Ms O'Loughlin said members will evaluate this statement after it is delivered but have no option but to proceed with their strike action.

 SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “Retained Firefighters are striking to ensure that a government report on the future of the service is implemented in full in order to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis that threatens to collapse this essential community resource.  

 “SIPTU members in the Retained Fire Service are serious and will escalate their industrial action to a full all out strike on 20th June if the measures that are necessary to safeguard the future operation of this vital resource are not implemented.”

 “As always, SIPTU representatives are available to engage in meaningful dialogue on the outstanding issues with the employers of our members at all times," he concluded.

Socialist TD Mick Barry commented: "Two thirds of the State's firefighters are involved in an industrial dispute with the Government. The Government has chosen to ignore their demands for the first week of the action so the dispute is set to escalate today.

"I support the firefighters. I think the vast bulk of the general public support the firefighters," he insisted.

"I think the Government need to listen and I think if they don't that the workers' action is only going to get stronger across the country and the demands for Government action are only going to get louder in the Dáil," he added.