Members of the Defence Forces will be engaged by Clare County Council, if required, in the event of industrial action by Clare firefighters. Clare firemen look set to take some form of industrial action during the festive season over the proposed introduction of a new post by the council.
Firefighters secured official approval from Siptu to proceed with a ballot for industrial action if the local authority goes ahead with the introduction of a second sub-station officer’s post to replace the long-standing driver-mechanic position in its seven fire stations.
It is expected that a ballot could take place in the coming week or some time in the near future if this issue is not resolved. The council has already advertised for a second sub-station officer’s post in Ennis fire station but none of the existing firemen are expected to apply before the closing date of December 22nd. A Siptu spokesman claimed the new post breached a commitment in the Croke Park agreement to leave all existing staff grades and categories untouched.