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RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS HAVE voted to accept proposals from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to resolve their industrial dispute, trade union Siptu has said.
This follows intensive consultation last week and a secret ballot.
The 2,000-strong part-time fire service, which provides fire and first responder emergency services, had been engaged in industrial action for over two months due to staffing numbers and a dispute over pay.
Many firefighters are unable to take annual leave due to staffing shortages and they have also seen their incomes reduced due to reductions in call outs over the last number of years, the union stated, according to Siptu.
In a statement today, Siptu divisional organiser Karan O Loughlin said: “This has been a protracted battle to bring the poor terms and conditions for retained firefighters into the public domain and to begin the process of rebuilding the service.
“While today’s vote ends the current strike, it does not end that battle.”
She said Siptu representatives will write to the employers and to the Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien “immediately”.
“We will advise of the acceptance of the [WRC] document and seek to engage in discussions in respect of the retainer and the rollout of the WRC terms, especially those clauses that relate to recruitment, pay and time off,” O Loughlin said.
“We will be making it clear that we expect the terms of the WRC document to be delivered in full and in a timely manner. We also expect that the political commitments in respect of the next movement on the retainer will be delivered in full.”
Minister for Local Government Darragh O’Brien sais that he welcomes the decision to accept the WRC recommendations. He thanked the firefighters and their representatives for their constructive engagement.
“I have always acknowledged the challenges associated with both the recruitment and retention of retained fire personnel and I have consistently advocated for a better approach and I will continue to do so.
“Our firefighters are an invaluable frontline service staffed by very dedicated and selfless people, serving their communities around the clock. I will continue to support them in the work which they do,” he said.
The Siptu national elected committee is to meet this morning to plan phase two of the process.
Siptu’s sector organiser Brendan O’Brien said: “The retained firefighters are battle scarred after many years of struggle over these issues. While the WRC document does not deliver a cure for all that ails the Retained Fire Service, it has created a path forward to commence the transformation that the service needs.
“Firefighters are to be commended for their steadfast solidarity to each other and to their communities during this very difficult dispute.”
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The government can fine the money when it comes to increasing the number of TDs in the next election… but they can’t find the money for vital services fireman nurses doctors guards defense forces the less could go on… politicians will only feather their own nests
@Paul Maguire: no Govt can ignore the constitution, plus its the independent Electoral Commission who decided number of TDs, not Govt.
Also all the groups you mentioned have received substantial pay increases due to public sector pay deal.
18 grand starting salary is still awful. That won’t attract any new people into it. Banks Credit unions will only loan on guaranteed money and don’t care about your on call money. Very odd that would have been accepted if new members was their main gripe.
@Dan The Man: Some if not all will have social welfare payments as well which are taken into account. They generally look at gross/net annual income, in some cases averaged over a period of years. Still not great though with the average industrial wage being circa €50k? It’s a long way short unless they are a busy station and you make the shouts!
@Nickb: Average industrial wage is 50K? Its closer to 35K mate.
This is a good result as a strike can endanger lives. I really hope the firefighters got a good deal.
@Canada Goose G Dog: so does the situation that prevailed before the industrial action. I dont hold much hope that the numbers will be increased rapidly and could well plod along for a while yet as the recruitment process is rolled out
@ Oisin CK: NOBODY reieved substantial pay increases in public sector, it’s PAY REIMBURSEMENT, after the Government in their wisdom slashed public sector pay a no: of years ago.
have your say