SIPTU have announced a campaign of industrial action by retained firefighters that may result in an all-out strike.  

SIPTU has accused the Government of failing to resolve the deepening recruitment and retention crisis in the fire emergency services.  

This has put pressure on retained firefighters, who are not full-time firefighters but paid to spend long periods of time on call to respond to emergencies. 

From June 6th, members of SIPTU will refuse to work outside of responding to emergency calls. 

If there is no resolution by June 13th, retained firefighters will begin rolling strikes which will see a series of one-day work stoppages at 50% of fire stations at any given time. 

SIPTU will commence a full strike by June 20th if there is still no resolution.

"People are leaving in droves"

SIPTU Retained Committee Chair Tom Kitterick said firefighters have had enough.  

“58% of retained fire fighters intended to leave the retained fire services in the form of three years,” he said.  

“18 months have passed and people are leaving in droves, which would lead to a collapse in the retained fire services.” 

“There won’t be a service across many stations if that’s followed through on.” 

Almost 2000 Retained Fire Service members are organised in SIPTU across 200 fire stations nationally. 

"An extremely difficult decision"

SIPTU Sector Organiser Brendan O’Brien said many retained firefighters are expected to 24/7 emergency response and restrict their movement to be on-call at all times.  

“Many firefighters are unable to take their leave entitlements due to staff shortages and they have also seen their incomes drastically reduced due to reductions in call outs over the last number of years,” he said.  

SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser Karen O Loughlin said, “It is an extremely difficult decision for [firefighters] to commit to such a campaign of industrial action.” 

“But they are left with no alternative if they are to protect the service and public safety into the future.”