SIPTU is calling on the government to bring forward proposals that will end the Retained FireFighters Dispute in the short term and says talks on longer term reforms can then commence. The union’s national committee is to meet today to discuss measures to escalate the industrial action. At present certain fire stations are closed for a 24 hour period on a rotational basis as the firefighters try to strike and also maintain a response to life threatening situations.
The Union is accusing management of intransigence in refusing to use telephones to communicate with fire fighters when dealing with emergency calls. The firefighters are refusing to use their radios as a form of industrial action. SIPTU rejects Tipperary County Council’s statement that fire fighters earn between €20,000 to €55,000 per annum with an average pay of €25,000 per annum. The union says the pay tends to be closer to €20,000 for most personnel with no Retained Firefighter in Tipperary earning €55,000.
The union says it will raise with the Department of Social Protection the issue of Retained Firefighters on Unemployment Benefit being docked part of their benefit for the days they engage in strike action. Tipperary County Council are critical of a SIPTU demand that three fire appliances be dispatched to life threatening incidents as part of it’s agreement to provide emergency cover during the industrial action. The public continue to be advised to call 999 or 112 in the event of any emergency
