STAFF AT the French embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin, plan to strike for a second time next week to protest over salaries which they say are insufficient to cover the cost of living in Dublin.
More than 15 employees held a picket outside the embassy offices on Ailesbury Road yesterday between noon and 1pm. The protesters, most of whom are locally recruited French nationals, included staff from the nearby residence of ambassador Yvon Roé d'Albert.
Representatives of those taking part in the strike met the ambassador following the picket yesterday afternoon.
They say the French ministry for foreign affairs has refused to acknowledge the high cost of living in Dublin and match salary increases with inflation figures.
"Embassy workers are often viewed as privileged, with impressive perks and salaries; this is simply not the case for us," the staff said in a statement.
"The ministry needs to realise that the cost of living in Dublin is one of the highest in Europe. Nothing has been done for years," it continued.
"This situation is unacceptable to local staff who do not enjoy the same salary conditions as civil servants."
The statement said the ministry had not issued any response since the strike notice was served last week.
"Local staff have therefore unanimously decided to go on strike next Thursday to reiterate their demands, which, once again, are legitimate in the eyes of all concerned," it added.
The employees' action is supported by the Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail, the largest union grouping in France.
Efforts to highlight the issue have met with little success in the past year.
Embassy staff had previously considered striking during the visit of French president Nicolas Sarkozy to Dublin in July.
The embassy remained closed all day yesterday due to the action.