Army helps out in Ballymun lifts dispute

Electricians and fitters from the Army are helping to keep lifts at the Ballymun flats complex operational.

Electricians and fitters from the Army are helping to keep lifts at the Ballymun flats complex operational.

The army has been called in because of a dispute between engineers of Pickerings Lifts and the company over the dismissal of a colleague. The dispute has been ongoing since November 12th and only a minimal maintenance service has been provided by the engineers as a result.

About 30 workers are on strike over what the union claims was the company's failure to adhere to agreed procedures before it dismissed an employee.

A spokesperson for the company said that the TEEU wanted the worker reinstated and for the correct procedures to be followed. However, the company say that in this instance, no procedures have been agreed with the union.

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Dublin Corporation made a request to the Department of the Environment for the army to be called in when the dispute between Pickerings and its engineers escalated. The army has been maintaining essential lift services at the complex since December 6th.

Three army teams comprising of an electrician and fitter are maintaining 73 lifts in the complex and will continue to do so for the duration of the dispute.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said that the army was maintaining "essential services" for Ballymun residents, many of whom are the elderly and young children.