Firefighters on the picket at Mullingar Fire Station this week.

Labour Court intervenes in fire service dispute

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The Labour Court has written to SIPTU representatives inviting them to exploratory discussions in relation to the retained fire service dispute, at Landsdowne House, Dublin 2, on Monday (June 19) at 10am.

The Labour Court has separately written to the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), as the employer in the dispute, requesting its attendance at the talks.

SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division organiser, Karan O’Loughlin, said: “The SIPTU National Committee for Retained Firefighters, today (Friday June 16) unanimously agreed to suspend all industrial action and strike action for a period of 24 hours commencing at 12.01am on Monday in order to facilitate the explanatory discussions at the Labour Court.

“While our members appreciate the intervention of the court in this matter, the resolution to the dispute will be complex and difficult. However, the SIPTU negotiating committee have agreed to attend and will make every effort to create the space for a resolution to this dispute.”

SIPTU Sector organiser Brendan O’Brien, added: “The SIPTU negotiating committee will do their utmost on Monday but it is imperative that the employers attend this meeting with a willingness to engage in a manner that they have not done to date.

“There must be a willingness to acknowledge that there needs to be resources put into the Retained Fire Service in order to commence its rebuilding. There must also be proper remuneration of firefighters to reflect the responsibilities of their job.”

Firefighters on the picket at Kilbeggan Fire Station this week.
Firefighters on the picket at Castlepollard Fire Station this week.
Firefighters on the picket at Athlone Fire Station this week.
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