SIPTU have advised Westmeath County Council that their members within the Retained Fire Service will commence Industrial Action at local level due to a National Dispute at 00:01hrs on Tuesday the 6th of June, which will be followed by rolling strikes on the 13th of June and all out strikes on the 20th of June should the unions issues around pay structures, recruitment and retention not be addressed. This dispute arose from a National Review of Recruitment and Retention within the retained Fire Service undertaken in 2022.
As part of the normal industrial relations protocol of agreeing contingency plans, Westmeath County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service management have engaged with SIPTU representatives at local level to put in place robust contingency arrangements and wish to assure the public that every effort will be made to mitigate any risk to them arising from this industrial action. SIPTU have confirmed Nationally, that throughout the strike action, it will comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice on emergency disputes reflecting the professionalism and dedication of its retained fire service personnel to ensure that fire services are provided even in a strike situation and have confirmed that it will respond to all emergency calls involving life-threatening situations.
All homes and businesses should ensure they have working smoke alarms and should carry out regular tests to ensure it is working as normal.
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 06/06/2023
