Tipperary councillors show solidarity with fire fighters in dispute over pay and conditions

A number of councillors voiced solidarity at Tipperary County Council’s  annual budget meeting with the county’s retained fire fighters who - with colleagues around the country - are involved in an industrial dispute for better pay and working conditions.

Independent Cllr Jim Ryan told the meeting fire fighters voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. He asked council management would provision be made in the local authority’s 2023 budget for an increase in wages for Tipperary Fire Service personnel.  He said the county’s fire fighters “fully deserved” a wage increase and he wished to showed his support and solidarity with them. “They provided an excellent, very serious and difficult service,” he said.  

“They told me they are finding it very difficult to hire and retain fire fighters. It’s because of terrible pay and conditions.”  The Thurles councillor said the fact fire fighters have voted for industrial action showed this was a very serious issue that needs to be resolved. 

“It’s a sad day to see that some of our employees have to go on strike for better conditions,” he added. 

Sinn Féin Cllr Tony Black from Tipperary Town agreed. He said everything should be done to improve the pay and conditions of the county’s fire fighters. “They do a very difficult job. It’s a vital service everyone benefits from,” he declared.

Tipperary Fire Service Chief Fire Officer, Dave Carroll, responded that a national ballot was taken and fire fighters voted in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action. 

He stressed it was important to point out that the county’s fire fighters were currently not taking strike action. 

He said the dispute was being dealt with nationally and they are keeping a close eye on it.

When pressed by Cllr Ryan about provision in the council’s budget for a pay rise  for fire fighters, Mr Carroll responded that no allowance for such an eventuality was being made. 

But he stressed if a national pay agreement was reached, provision would be made for it. 

Council CEO Joe MacGrath said he wished to acknowledge the work and excellent service provided by the county’s fire fighters and expressed the hope of a resolution to the industrial dispute nationally.

And he stressed: “We will honour whatever recommendation comes out of that national process. It may not be all about pay. It may be about conditions. My hope is that it does get resolved as soon as possible.”