Firefighters seek to cool national strike plans

IMPACT union firefighters have sought to cool plans for all-out national strike at the start of May, insisting such a move could jeopardise ongoing talks between unions and Government.

In recent days representatives of SIPTU’s 1,500 full-time firefighters have voted in favour of plans for a national strike over pay cuts and a lack of staff resources, following initial calls from the trade union’s Dublin members for the step to take place.

Further votes are due to take place this week by the 2,200 part-times firefighters nationwide and ambulance members in the capital.