Firefighters to suspend strike on Monday for talks

Retained firefighters in Donegal will continue their rolling strike action until Monday when the action will be suspended for 24 hours after an intervention from the Labour Court.

Firefighters across the country began a period of rolling strike action at midnight on Monday and an all-out strike is pencilled for Tuesday if satisfactory progress isn't made on their calls for better pay and working conditions.

The Labour Court has separately written to the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), as the employer in the dispute, requesting its attendance at talks on Monday.

Brendan O’Brien, the SIPTU sector organiser, said: “Following a comprehensive discussion on the Labour Court’s invitation, the National Committee unanimously agreed to accept the court’s invitation and the Siptu representatives will be attending the exploratory meeting.”

'The fire service is broken': Donegal firefighters demand improved conditions

Retained firefighters are asking for a better work-life balance and for a better pay structure. A full-on strike could follow next week if a resolution isn't found

The threat of an all-out strike from Tuesday remains if the discussions are not successful.

Members from Donegal's 15 fire stations have been engaged in the rolling strike action. There are around 165 firefighters in the county with five of the stations switching off their pagers for 24 hours at a time.

The Donegal Firefighters Association have thanked the public for the huge support given to them.

“Whether it is simply a wave or a beep of the horn as you pass the picket, or stopping with drinks and food, it is very much appreciated,” they said.

“For this weekend, with the rally traffic here, the firefighters that are on strike will go back to their own stations and protest there, please show them as much support as you did in Letterkenny.

“We do hope that with the intervention of the Labour Court, we can come to an agreement that all retained Firefighters can be happy with, and we can go back to keeping our communities safe."