‘Further stoppages’ promised in FÁS dispute

SENIOR trade union officials have drawn up battle plans in the FÁS decentralisation dispute that could impact the Government’s entire €1 billion public sector relocation programme.

SIPTU union organiser Greg Ennis would not disclose the details of the strategy, decided at their meeting in Dublin yesterday, to broaden the row that threatens further chaos at the State training agency.

“There is no doubt the industrial action will escalate, albeit at a time of our choosing, in different ways,” he said.

“As of yesterday we are not co-operating in non-core duties at head office - until the issue is resolved. And there will be further stoppages.”

The union is fighting the Government decision to move 400 FÁS staff from the Baggot St, Dublin head office to a greenfield site at Birr, Co Offaly by Easter 2009.

Only 64 FÁS staff have agreed to the move, according to SIPTU. The agency’s management is offering promotions only to those prepared to commit to relocation.

On Wednesday, union pickets were placed at six Dublin FÁS centres. Up to 1,000 people attending FÁS apprenticeship and training courses were affected.

SIPTU represents 1,850 of the 2,300 FÁS staff at the agency’s 128 branches nationwide - which offers the prospect of the dispute extending beyond Dublin.

The Dublin offices and training centres were picketed following 85% backing by SIPTU members for industrial action.

Union sources expressed amazement at the worsening of industrial relations, blaming the Department of Finance for repudiating a management offer during marathon talks at the Labour Relations Commission a week ago.

Staff in State agencies - such as FÁS and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is also to relocate to Clonakilty, Co Cork - are public servants and cannot transfer, as civil servants are permitted to, to other departments.

Birr is in the constituency of Finance Minister Brian Cowen. The decision to decentralise State offices was taken when EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy had the portfolio.

Under the 2002 Government directive which requires a reduction of numbers across the civil and public services, FÁS must reduce its staff by 150 by the end of 2006.