Strike set to blaze on
Assurances fire service will not collapse
The public was this week assured that 999/112 can still be called in the event of an emergency as retained firefighters across the country resorted to industrial action.
SIPTU members employed as retained firefighters by local authorities began a campaign of industrial action last week, and threatened to escalate the dispute.
At this week's meeting of Tipperary Co Council, Cllr Jim Ryan hit out at the “disgraceful way our firefighters are being treated”, saying they are looking for fair pay and working conditions.
He noted that the industrial action is set to intensify next week and he wanted to know what contingency plans the council has in place in the event of a serious emergency.
Chief Fire Officer Dave Carroll said fire and rescue service delivery has been largely unaffected by the work-to-rule initiated last week.
The next phase of the action envisages closing six of Tipperary's 12 fire stations for a 24hr period rotationally. Which stations close would be a matter for the union. The stations in question would not be responding to any calls and the other six would have to cover their area in the event of an emergency.
Mr Carroll said the council would be meeting with the strike committee to find ways of best minimising the impact on the public. He said other local authorities would also be engaged with to ensure coverage is provided.
He asked people to ensure that they have smoke alarms fitted and said members of the public should continue to dial 112/999 in the event of an emergency.
“There will be a service,” Mr Carroll assured. “We're doing as good as we can in terms of contingency arrangements. What we're doing is the best that can be done in the circumstances.”
Cllr Ryan asked what would happen in the event of an all-out strike.
Mr Carroll said the indications are that responses would still be made to all “life-threatening incidents”.
Union talks are only now commencing in relation to the all-out strike proposal.
Chief Executive Officer of the council Joe MacGrath and Cathaoirleach Cllr Roger Kennedy joined in stressing that the dispute is not with Tipperary Co Council and is part of a national action.
The council has since issued a statement saying SIPTU have advised local authorities of the intention of Retained firefighter members to escalate industrial actions from 13th of June with rolling strikes to an average of 50% of Retained Fire stations and ultimately all out strikes commencing from the 20th of June.
This is a concerning escalation by SIPTU, however, as part of the normal industrial relations protocol of agreeing contingency plans, each local authority have engaged with SIPTU at local level to establish robust contingency arrangements. Local authorities wish to assure the public that every effort will be made to mitigate any risk to them arising from any industrial action protecting communities to the maximum extent possible during the dispute.
Members of the public should continue to call 999 or 112 in the case of an emergency; calls will be answered and responded to.
SIPTU have confirmed that throughout the strike action it will comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice on emergency disputes reflecting the professionalism and dedication of its retained fire service personnel to ensure that fire services are provided even in a strike situation and has confirmed that retained fire services will respond to all emergency calls involving life-threatening situations.
Fire Service Management initiated a negotiation process with SIPTU and agreed to the appointment of a Third-Party facilitator to shape a proposal that could be agreed by management and staff representatives. The led to a significant offer by Fire Service Management which would lead to an increase in fire service numbers allowing for greater levels of structured time off.
SIPTU then advised that in addition to the increase in numbers they would also require a significant increase in existing pay, however Management advised that the current national pay agreement, Building Momentum, means it cannot consider sectoral or grade-based pay and conditions claims during the lifetime of the agreement. Management remains available to continue the engagement through the mediator as its position would always be for constructive engagement with all stakeholders on any pay dispute.
The proposed escalation of industrial action is of major concern to local authorities, and we would call on SIPTU to reconsider and reengage in the mediation process.