Tipperary & Waterford Retained Firefighters Began Two Day Strike Action Today.

Retained firefighters in counties Tipperary and Waterford Began Two Days Of Strike Action Today

Unite union members, working as retained firefighters in Co. Tipperary and Co. Waterford, began a further two days strike action today Thursday August 3rd, and will continue their action tomorrow Friday August 4th.

These two days of strike action represent a further escalation of an industrial dispute which has arisen due to the continued refusal of the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), representing local authorities, to engage with the Unite union over workforce concerns.

Retained firefighters, who form the backbone of Ireland’s firefighting service, have seen retainers and call-out fees frozen for years, while the location requirements make it difficult or impossible for workers to supplement their low earnings with other employment.
Retained firefighters are also seeking structured and predictable ‘off-call’ times, rather than as is currently the reality operating on a 24/7 basis.