FÁS action ‘could derail decentralisation’

IMPENDING industrial action by employees of the state agency FÁS over “promotional blackmail” could derail the Government’s controversial decentralisation programme, union sources said last night.

SIPTU members at FÁS yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of action over plans to transfer FÁS to Birr in Co Offaly.

Management at FÁS have made promotion conditional on agreement to relocate to Birr. It said it was following stated Government policy in making this a condition. SIPTU yesterday said it went against the Governments stated commitment of voluntary relocation.