County Limerick fire stations out of service due to industrial action
THREE fire stations in County Limerick which are operated by retained firefighters remain closed this Tuesday as part of an escalation of industrial action over job conditions.
Retained firefighters at Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale and Cappamore stations are engaging in a series of rolling work stoppages, as part of a wider action being carried out by SIPTU members across the country. The action began on June 6.
Services at Foynes, Newcastle West and Killmallock fire stations will be affected tomorrow with personnel only making themselves available to response to calls involving a potential risk to life.
Operations at Limerick Fire Station at Mulgrave Street in the city are not impacted as that is a 24-hour station with full-time personnel.
Up to 2,000 SIPTU members work as retained firefighters across over 200 fire stations around the country, providing fire and first-responder emergency services. They are not full-time employees and are instead paid a retainer to be on call for fire stations.
This retainer works out at around €700 a month, according to Barry Naughton, a Driver-Mechanic at Rathkeale fire station for 25 years and one of the SIPTU negotiators. “People are not joining the service because the pay is so low,” he said.
Retained firefighters get 28 days annual leave but due to staff shortages, cover is often not available. They are also expected to be on call at all times and must report to their station within five minutes of a callout.
Speaking on Newstalk this Tuesday morning, Mr Naughton said that retained firefighters “are looking for a better work/life balance.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, is expected to make a statement on the dispute in the Dáil later
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “Members in the retained fire service are serious and will escalate their industrial action to a full all-out strike on June 20 if the measures that are necessary to safeguard the future operation of this vital resource are not implemented.”