Official pickets are being placed on Dean's Grange and Shangannagh cemeteries in Co Dublin this morning by SIPTU general operatives. It is part of industrial action which will affect all outdoor services for some 190,000 people living in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council area.
Services affected include refuse collection, the operation of tipheads, water supplies, sewerage, public lighting, parks, libraries and roadworks.
IMPACT, which represents a small number of workers involved is to begin strike action tomorrow, but its members are not expected to pass the SIPTU pickets this morning. If pickets are extended to Dún Laoghaire town hall and other civic offices it is feared that clerical and administrative staff may also become involved in the dispute.
It is over what SIPTU branch secretary Mr John Glennon describes as the "appalling industrial relations" climate of recent years. He says his members have about 90 outstanding issues which management had failed to process.
In May 1998 the unions concluded a reorganisation agreement with the council. Since then most of the human resources staff involved have either retired or been promoted. Mr Glennon says new staff lack the experience, training and authority to handle problems.
Although strike notice was served three weeks ago Mr Glennon says the personnel department only responded to the unions on Thursday. "We have delivered on our side of the agreement in full", he says.
"All they have come back with is promises and, at this stage, promises are not enough." Yesterday morning Mr Glennon said he had urged the strike committee not to picket the cemeteries but they refused. While he regretted their decision he said it showed the level of anger.
No comment was available from the council yesterday.