Laois firefighting 'conditions scandalous and disgraceful'
Laois county councillors are backing the battle by retained firefighters for better working conditions.
Speaking to the council CEO at the June meeting, the employer of Laois Fire Service, councillors denounced the poor pay and lack of time off for the crews as "scandalous" and "an insult".
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley was among those who met Laois firecrews who are SIPTU representatives just before their strike was suspended. It is set to resume on July 26 following failed negotiations for a better deal.
"They pointed out that they receive a retainer starting from €8,500 a year, and are expected to be on call 24/7 and have to be within 2.5km of their station. They have no weekends off, they have missed very important family occasions.
"One of them missed his daughter's confirmation. Staff numbers are so low so the don't have proper rotation. They are leaving in droves because of the conditions attached. It's time our two Ministers come together to put in a realistic package, one to hold on to staff and two to encourage new recruits. We won't encourage them on those conditions, they are outrageous and disgraceful," she said.
Cllr Marie Tuohy said that a long term solution is needed.
"I hope they are treated with the pay and respect they deserve. Maybe they had put up with this for far too long. By mid June they had attended 278 emergencies," she noted.
Cllr Aidan Mullins said that firefighters are "treated with disdain and a total lack of appreciation".
"Numbers in Abbeyleix are at critical levels. This is a dangerous occupation, 24 hours on call. The whole work life balance is non existant. They can't even bring their dog for a walk without someone with them. They can't have a night away. €8,500 to €11,000 is an insult," he said.
Cllr John King is also a retired firefighter.
"I gave 15 years as a fireman. The sort of money offered to them today, you wouldn't even be able to get a loan based on it. They are called to crashes, suicides, and the team in a station is down to five or six. I think they are all understaffed. It's a hard life. I remember coming back from tragedies, it takes a long time to settle down. They need the same wages as anyone else," he said.
SIPTU retained Fire Fighters across the country have this week voted by an overwhelming majority of 82% to 18% to reject the Labour Court recommendation which was proposed as ‘an interim solution’ to their dispute last week. That offered a percentage rise to their retained wage which was considered not enough to resolve the crisis.
They will resume strike action at every fire station across the country from Wednesday, 26th July.