National industrial action by SIPTU retained firefighters

SIPTU has notified all local authority Chief Executives that retained firefighters intend to take industrial action from 6th June 2023

The proposed industrial action has been advised as follows:

6th June- Industrial Action entailing non-cooperation outside of responding to emergency calls. This will include non-cooperation with training drills and radio calls to be replaced by mobile phones to the Roster Senior Fire Officer, rather than through the Eastern Region Communications Centre.

13th June- In the event that there is no change, rolling strikes will be commenced across all Retained Fire Services

20th June- in the event that there is no change, all out strikes will be commenced across all Retained Fire Services

The Council has engaged with the local Strike Committee, which is composed of a representative from each of the county’s five fire stations and will continue to keep lines of communication open during the duration of the dispute.

Louth County Council’s priority throughout this process is to ensure employee and public safety.  A contingency plan is in place, which will be under continuous review for the duration of the dispute.  Local discussions are focused on operational matters for the safe delivery of services for both the fire crews and members of the public.  It is understood that all emergency calls will be responded to during the dispute, but elected members and members of the public will be informed if this changes during the industrial action.

All households and businesses should ensure they have working smoke alarms and should continue to use 999 or 112 calls in the case of an emergency.