Dublin fire-fighters are to vote for industrial action next week in pursuit of pay parity with the Garda. If, as expected, the ballot is in favour of a strike, this could take place within two weeks. SIPTU branch secretary Mr Paul Smith said yesterday the response of fire-fighters to a new Labour Court recommendation on their claim had been uniformly hostile. "Members feel that they have already conceded more than enough changes already to justify parity with the Garda," he said.
The SIPTU committee is to consider the recommendation on Monday and an emergency general meeting of fire-fighters will take place on Thursday, when a strike ballot is expected to commence. The court has recommended a 7 per cent increase in return for wide-ranging productivity concessions.