Retained fire fighters escalate strike action

Westmeath's retained fire fighters and their colleagues around the country will be escalating their strike action at the weekend unless the government meets their demands for better pay and conditions.

Mullingar firefighters were out on the picket line again yesterday afternoon, while members of the SIPTU National Retained Fire Fighter Committee met and agreed that from 8am on Saturday morning, all stations will “go dark”, meaning that they will have no internal communications other than life saving information.

Local shop steward Tony Sheerin, who is a member of the national committee, said that an independent report published in 1999 highlighted the need for a root and branch reform of the fire service, including pay increases for retained firefighters.

There have been a number of other reports since, including one published in 2021 that was commissioned by Minister Darragh O'Brien. Each report found that the service is in urgent need of reform, but firefighters are still waiting.

Unless the LGMA and government meet the fire fighters' demands, Mr Sheerin says that the service will collapse as the current pay and conditions will not attract new members into the force and there are a large number of fire fighters due to retire in the coming years.

The retained fire fighters are paid an annual retainer – starting at €8,500 – to be available for call-outs and the remainder of their pay is based on the number of call-outs they attend.

Retained fire fighters can have other employment but their workplaces have to be within 2.5km of their stations. They must also live within 2.5km of their stations and be able to respond, typically, within five minutes.

Mr Sheerin says that many employers are reluctant to hire retained fire fighters, or permit existing employees to join the fire service.

A Labour Court recommendation made last month was overwhelmingly rejected by retained firefighters as they felt that the increase in income was not enough.

Mr Sheerin says that retained firefighters would like to get a wage that reflects their level of commitment and training.

“Members of the full time service get a wage and they don't have to put in the work or time that we do. We are trained the very same and carry out the same duties.”

Mr Sheerin says that retained fire fighters are growing increasingly frustrated by the government's failure to meet their demands. However, they are heartened by the public's support.

“Everyone supports us. All of our line managers and the entire community are in complete support of the retained fire services. We don't understand why there is such a reluctance to sort this out.”