Part-time firefighters call off strike after negotiations

PART-TIME firefighters have called off their proposed strike next week.

After 11 hours of negotiations yesterday, SIPTU and the local authorities agreed to set up an expert group to resolve the dispute.

Up to 1,900 part-time firefighters voted two weeks ago for a nationwide strike in a dispute over the mandatory retirement age of 55 and the size of the retirement lump sum. Part-time firefighters get one year’s payment for every 10 year’s service when they retire but want payment for one in five.

The strike would have caused serious safety problems because the Army said it would be unable to provide nationwide fire cover.

SIPTU said it was pleased next week’s strike had been averted. “We’re happy to have put a framework in place to resolve the dispute,” said national industrial secretary Matt Merrigan.

The National Retained Firefighters Union, which was involved in the negotiations, also welcomed the deal. “No firefighter wants to go on strike so we’re glad to have sorted it out,” said chairperson John Gavigan.

Under a previous Labour Court recommendation, the dispute would be reported on by an independent review group within 12 months.

However, part-time firefighters were not satisfied because there was a retirement freeze for just three months and many firefighters would have to leave the service before the review group reported.

Under the new deal, no part-time firefighters will have to retire on age grounds until June 30, 2003.