Retained Firefighters Begin Industrial Action Over Recruitment, Retention

Tuesday, 6 June 2023 10:30

By Caoimhe Harney

The action will see members engaging in a campaign of non-cooperation with work outside of responding to emergency calls

Retained firefighters have begun a campaign of industrial action.

Their union SIPTU has accused the Government of failing to address a worsening recruitment and retention crisis in the service.

Members of the retained service are part-time firefighters who are paid an annual retainer to be available for call-outs.

The industrial action, which begins today, will see members engaging in a campaign of non-cooperation with work outside of responding to emergency calls.

This will involve refusing to engage in training exercises and drills.

It will also see radio calls through the emergency centres being replaced by the use of mobile calls to fire service management.

If there is no resolution to the dispute, rolling strikes will begin from 13 June which will see a series of one-day work stoppages at 50% of fire stations at any given time.

If there is still no resolution, an all-out strike will begin on 20 June.

In January, SIPTU members in retained fire service voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.

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

More from National News

CCPC Issues Open Letter To Traders Amid Surge In Complaints Over Home Building And Improvement Jobs

The CCPC received almost 1,250 complaints from consumers - prompting the regulator to issue an open letter to the industry and to write directly to nearly 3,000 traders nationwide.
Pizza Vending Machine In Naas Forced To Close Over Anti-Social Activity And Alleged Drug Dealing

The only other pizza vending machine operated by Bosca Pizza is in Newcastle.
BREAKING: DJ Carey Jailed For Five-And-A-Half Years

After passing sentence, the judge said he could not imagine a more reprehensible fraud
Kildare Superintendent Among Officers Promoted As Part Of Senior Garda Operational Reassignments

Among the changes, Superintendent Georgina Gray - who had been serving in Kildare North - has been transferred to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, where she will take on detective duties.
BREAKING: Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder Following Death Of Ryan Weir Gibbons In Kildare Town

Gardaí confirmed the arrest was made this morning, Monday 3rd November, as part of the ongoing investigation.
"Hope At Last" - Horsepasstown Residents May Soon See End To Six-Year Boil Water Struggle

Annette Ward, whose 87-year-old mother Kay Ward is among those affected, told Kfm that work to replace the water pipeline is due to begin in January - and it’s hoped residents could have safe, drinkable tap water by July.
Kildare Among Worst-Hit Counties As Teacher Shortages Hit Special And Disadvantaged Schools

The findings also reveal that a substitution crisis continues to affect a large number of primary schools.
Focus Ireland Founder Sr Stan Dies Aged 86

She passed away earlier this morning in Dublin at the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.