Call by fire fighters for all-out strike

THE STATE could be left without fire and ambulance services following calls from fire fighters for an all-out strike with no emergency cover.

John Kidd, national secretary of Siptu’s full-time fire officers’ committee, said members have demanded that Siptu serve strike notice immediately.

The action would involve a complete stoppage of fire and ambulance services and would be likely to cause the closure of Dublin airport and regional airports.

“Members want a national fire brigade strike in conjunction with a national ambulance strike with complete withdrawal of cover,” Mr Kidd said.

Fire fighters and ambulance personnel were working in unsafe conditions because of staff cutbacks, he said.

“In addition to the pay cuts, 108 members retired last year, around 30 so far this year, and there have only been no new recruits over the last two years. We cannot continue to provide a service like this.”

Branch officials are to meet this morning for talks with Siptu local authority sector organiser Paul Smith in relation to the members’ demand. However, the branch officials have already written to Siptu president Jack O’Connor requesting strike authorisation.

A spokesman for Siptu head office said no decision had been made in relation to the request and that any such action would require two month’s notice.

Meanwhile workers in the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday escalated their action as part of the campaign of rolling work stoppages in the public sector.

The three main unions representing workers in the Houses of the Oireachtas, CPSU, PSEU and Impact, yesterday afternoon refused to deal with e-mail communications between offices within the Oireachtas. It was the first time such action was taken while the Dáil was in session.

The action was designed to disrupt the business of the Dáil in the last sitting before the St Patrick’s week break. Disruptions would intensify unless negotiations got under way, the unions said.