Retained firefighters across the country will resign in protest over working conditions next week

SIPTU organiser Karan O'Loughlin has warned the Government that union members employed as retained firefighters will begin to resign from the service in large numbers from next week, following strike action for better pay and working conditions.

The Retained Fire Service is a part-time workforce which provides fire and first responder emergency services across the country. There are approximately 2,000 SIPTU members who work as retained firefighters at more than 200 fire stations around the State.

Industrial action saw up to half of the fire stations in the service close this week. Members are threatening an “all-out strike” if their concerns over recruitment and retention are not addressed.

🚨 Breaking news | SIPTU members employed as retained firefighters will begin to resign from the service from the beginning of next week. #FireStrikes pic.twitter.com/MqnchxU62U

— SIPTU (@SIPTU) June 15, 2023

O'Loughlin, Public Administration and Community Division Organiser for SIPTU, said in a press release that “there is no sign of a breakthrough in this dispute".

"With all out strike action to begin on Tuesday, 20th June, which will result in the closure of all retained fire stations across the country, an increasing number of SIPTU members have made clear they are considering resigning from the service.”

Crewing for fire stations across the country is already at crisis levels, and the recent strike was a last resort to endeavour to improve the service for the part time staff, and prevent it from total collapse. The pressure on the community that full closure of stations will bring could well be a burden too far for already overburdened firefighters.

O'loughlin said that working conditions, overworking and pay levels have been pushing firefighters away for some time. “Many would rather walk away altogether. If this happens, the service will collapse and will take years to rebuild as those firefighters will not return if they leave.”

Retained firefighters have been protesting outside Leinster House today (Thursday 15th), hanging their jackets on the fence as a sign of disapproval of Government negotiations. The protestors have been joined by several opposition party members.

Supporting retained firefighters protesting outside Leinster House today. Government rejected Sinn Féin's plan to rescue retained fire service & they refuse to pay retained firefighters properly.
It's time for change. #RetainedFirefighters #firestrike pic.twitter.com/PayG0GE7Uz

— Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile 🇮🇪🇵🇸 (@NiallSF) June 15, 2023

Brendan O’Brien, SIPTU Sector Organiser said that the only action that can save the firefighting "community resource" from disaster is for the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe to "put their heads together and arrange for the allocation of sufficient funds".

"This would address the necessary reforms that can resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in the retained fire service.”