No early end expected in Laois firefighter dispute

Retained firefighters in Laois and nationwide who resumed industrial action last Friday are expected to remain on strike for some time.

The firefighters had taken to the picket lines across the county earlier this year due to concerns over staffing, pay and conditions. 

However, they halted the action which was due to escalate to all-out strike action and agreed to talks in the Labour Court. Those talks concluded with recommendations which included pay increases of at least 24%, the hiring of additional staff. 

However, the SIPTU members of the retained fire service rejected the deal and returned to the picket lines last Friday. 

SIPTU’s Laois County Shop Steward, Alan Doran said his members were picketing at stations throughout Laois. He assured the community that firefighters would respond to life threatening incidents in the county. 

“We are three pumps to all calls while in other counties around us are on a 50/50 basis at the moment, which could escalate,” he said. Mr Doran said this was in line with SIPTU’s guidance and meant all life threatening situations would get a response. 

He is due  to join County Shop Stewards from across Ireland for a meeting in Dublin with the SIPTUs negotiating committee on Tuesday, August 1. It’s possible further action may arise from the meeting. 

Mr Doran pointed out that his members didn’t want to be engaged in industrial action. However, he fears that with the government on a summer recess the action could be drawn out. 

Local Authority Management issued a national statement saying they are extremely concerned by SIPTU’s decision to escalate its industrial action, closing 50% of retained fire service stations on a rotational basis from 8am Friday, July 28.

However, Laois is one of just five counties nationwide not yet engaged in the 50/50 action, something which could change in the future. 

“This unprecedented action represents a significant increase in risk to the safety of the public and to the safety of firefighters and is totally disproportionate,” according to Local Authority Management. 

While there are acknowledged challenges in relation to retained firefighter recruitment and retention, and the sustainability of service, a clear pathway and plan have been developed to address these issues, they maintained. 

Laois firefighters to return to picket lines this week

Ahead of the action last Friday, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said:  "SIPTU strike committees are organised in every county across the country and have spent hours meeting with management to get emergency measures agreed. Management, however, is demonstrating a high degree of intransigence on this issue and are refusing to agree any plan for tomorrow or for any day after that. Our members are steadfast that this dispute will continue until retained firefighters get a satisfactory resolution."