LAST UPDATE | 19 Jun 2023

AN ALL-OUT STRIKE of retained firefighters that was due to take effect at midnight tonight has been called off after the Labour Court agreed to hold a formal hearing next Monday.

The Retained Fire Service is a 2,000 strong part-time workforce which provides fire and first responder emergency services across the country.

Exploratory talks took place at the Labour Court today, with Siptu and government officials agreeing to meet for a hearing to resolve the dispute next week.

Siptu members employed as Retained Fire Services firefighters were engaged in industrial action last week due to what the trade union describes as a “staffing crisis which threatens this vital community resource”.

It said that many firefighters are unable to take their leave entitlements due to staff shortages and have also seen their incomes drastically reduced due to reductions in call-outs over the last number of years.

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

“While our members appreciate the intervention of the Court in this matter, the resolution to this dispute will be complex and difficult,” said Karan O Loughlin, Siptu public administration and community division organiser.

“However, the SIPTU negotiating committee have agreed to attend and will make every effort to create the space for a resolution to this dispute.”

“The Labour Court took the view that it would be useful to call both parties in for a formal hearing, so that in itself can be regarded as a form or progress,” she said.

“Our members are very steadfast in their pursuit of their objectives.”

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Industrial action will still continue tomorrow, with retained firefighters continuing a policy of “non cooperation with certain duties” such as training, O Loughlin said.

Siptu’s sector organiser Brendan O’Brien said the union’s negotiating committee “will do their utmost”, but added that 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,” he said.

“There must also be proper remuneration of firefighters to reflect the responsibilities of their job.”

With reporting from Jamie McCarron