SIPTU members employed as retained firefighters will begin to resign from the service in large numbers from the beginning of next week, the Government has been warned by SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin. “There is no sign of a breakthrough in this dispute and 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”, O Loughlin said. “This strike was a last resort to endeavour to improve the service and prevent it from total collapse but the pressure on the community that full closure of stations will bring could well be a burden too far for already overburdened firefighters.” She added: “Many would rather walk away altogether. If this happens, with crewing already at crisis levels, the service will collapse and will take years to rebuild as those firefighters will not return if they leave.” SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “The only action that can save this vital community resource from disaster is that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, put their heads together and arrange for the allocation of sufficient funds to address the necessary reforms that can resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in the retained fire service.”
Mass resignation of Retained Firefighters to begin due to Government intransigence
