Dispute in fire service could spread

An industrial dispute between fire-fighters and Dublin Corporation could spread, leaving the State relying on the Army for its full-time fire-fighting service from June 3rd.

Dublin-based fire-fighters served a fortnight's strike notice on their employers, Dublin Corporation, on May 20th.

Fire-fighters outside Dublin have declared their support for a State-wide strike in support of their Dublin colleagues.

According to the Dublin regional secretary of SIPTU, Mr Brendan Hayes, the dispute centres on a "pay relationship" with gardai, which he says goes back more than 30 years.

"In the early 1990s the gardai received a 3 per cent increase to their pension fund, and this was the start of the break with the pay relationship," said Mr Hayes.

Following the merger between the Garda Representative Association and the Garda Federation, gardai renewed their claims for a pay increase.

This resulted in a 7 per cent pay increase coupled with an additional 2 per cent productivity increase, Mr Hayes said.

The fire-fighters say their claim for the continuance of the pay relationship with gardai was upheld by the Labour Court, but Mr Hayes claims "every time we offer productivity, Dublin Corporation ups the level".

"Dublin fire-fighters have indicated their availability to enter a productivity agreement, based on the kind of productivity agreement the gardai entered into, but the corporation keep asking us to go one step further."

Mr Hayes said the men had been asked by the corporation what plans, if any, there were for emergency cover in the event of a strike. However, emergency cover would amount to normal duty and Mr Hayes said the men would picket the buildings.

Dublin Corporation's spokesman, Mr Frank Kelly, said that parity with gardai was never an issue, as it was not disputed.

The Army press office confirmed it was in discussions about the possibility of providing emergency cover. "We have had discussions about what could be available but no formal request has yet been made," an Army spokesman said.