Fire station row hits impasse

Local authorities in Limerick are at odds with Siptu on how to address “interpersonal difficulties” between three firefighters which led to a prolonged period of sick leave at a station which was forced to close temporarily last year.

While details of the “difficulties” between the firefighters based at Abbeyfeale fire station have not been made public, they were significant enough for industrial relations expert, Conal Devine, to be asked to compile a report on the dispute entitled Investigation into complaints and counter-complaints among fire fighters, Abbeyfeale Fire Station.

When the issue could not be resolved at a local level, it was the subject of a conciliation conference at the Labour Relations Commission. However, the LRC could not find a resolution either so the matter was referred for a hearing at the Labour Court.

In its summation of the councils’ and Siptu’s position, the court said they were in dispute as to how Mr Devine’s report should be implemented “to ensure a mutually satisfactory resolution and a return to work for all concerned”.

It said Siptu contended its members were “not currently in a position to return to work and is seeking a transfer to another service within Limerick County Council for two of them and an early retirement package for the third”.

“Management contends that it cannot meet the union’s claim due to cost and other restrictions. It contends that a resolution can be found to this dispute if the parties engage in the process as recommended to restore professional respect and facilitate a return to work for all concerned.”

In its recommendation, the court pointed out that both Siptu and the Limerick city and county councils accepted Mr Devine’s report and were “fully committed” to a section which aimed at “restoring professional relationships”.

There should be further engagement between the sides with the help of a expert facilitator, perhaps the LRC, with any further issues at that point to go for binding arbitration, the court said.

“The court notes that the rebuilding of trust and confidence is a long and painstaking process that will require support and attention at senior management level from within the fire service and the council,” it said. “The court recommends that management develop a plan to support station management and staff through this process and that it utilise the services of the LRC in this regard.”

It also said the parties should consider a full investigation of industrial relations at the station “to avoid a repeat of the developments that gave rise to the current dispute”.

“In the interim the council should arrange for staff members currently on sick leave to attend an agreed independent medical consultant to assess their capacity and set a timescale for their return to work,” it said.

At the end of last year, fire fighters from across Limerick had to be brought in to Abbeyfeale to allow the station to reopen.