First Active set for strike

First Active's business could be significantly disrupted in February after an overwhelming vote for industrial action by its staff. SIPTU, which represents 600 staff, is expected to serve the company with official notice of its intentions in mid-January. The vote for industrial action is in protest at the company's plans to cut 175 jobs - possibly by mandatory redundancies - and to close 25 of its 76 branches next month. The ballot for strike action was approved by a ratio of four to one, SIPTU says.