'It's a battle we have to stay with' Laois firefighters strike on

A Laois fire fighter has described the ongoing nationwide strike as "a battle we have to stay with".

Last Saturday, August 12, the strike for better pay and conditions escalated to again shut down half of the eight stations in Laois every day.

If a better deal is not found by August 19, an extra station will close, leaving just three open daily to serve Laois.

A Laois fire fighter told the Leinster Express that all are united in continuing their action, with support coming from the public.

"We thought it would be all sorted especially when the Labour Court said it was making a recommendation. It sounds good, a rise of 27% to 33% but the retained pay is so low, that it ends up still being low.

"We are all out picketing every evening. It's a battle we have to stay with. People beep in support and give us the thumbs up," he said.

There is growing pressure on the firefighters during the strike, as the open stations must cover nearby closed stations.

"We are all terrified the day our town's station is closed, that something will happen in the town. None of us want it to be like this. We are run ragged going from one town to another. there is so much ground to cover," he said.

The SIPTU union on behalf of members is calling for a wage system, with defined time off, instead of the low retainer payment which requires fire fighters to be on call within 2.5km of their station at all times, 24 hours a a day except during annual leave.

"When you add in the callout payments and the retainer, what we are asking isn't 100 miles off what is being paid now, but we would have proper time off. On a day our station is closed, people are starting to remember what it's like to be able to go somewhere for a day without asking. 

Laois pictures confirm escalation of firefighter's strike which management say is 'disproportionate'

"We'd like people to say it to their local councillor or TD. Sean Fleming and Charlie Flanagan who came to our station said they were behind us but they all voted with their parties in the Dáil. It's just disappointing that this is not resolved by now. It just takes two people at the table to resolve it," the Laois firefighter said.

He reassured the public that there will be help in an emergency.

"Even when a station is closed, the next station is on the way, and we are still responding to cardiac emergencies".

The public should continue to call 999/112 in the event of an emergency.