SIPTU members employed in the Retained Fire Service, who were due to take strike action in Limerick and across the country this week, have suspended their plans for industrial action in order to allow for a Labour Court hearing.
The hearing is scheduled to be held next Monday (June 26) at 10.00am in Lansdowne House in Dublin.
Unlike full-time firefighters, who are paid a wage and accrue benefits such as holiday pay, retained firefighters are paid a retainer of some €8,500 annually to be on call. They are additionally paid per call out.
The payments have not been increased in a number of years and the service says it is now becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and train people.
SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin, said: “Following on from exploratory discussions attended by the SIPTU retained firefighter negotiating committee and representatives of the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), the Labour Court has decided there is the basis for a full hearing concerning this dispute.”
“Our members appreciate the intervention of the Court in this matter and have suspended their industrial action at its request.
“However, the resolution to this dispute will be complex and difficult. Our members will not settle for anything other than an agreement which safeguards the functioning of this vital emergency service into the future.”
