Firefighters vow industrial action if crewing levels cut

More than 1,700 retained firefighters across the country have voted in favour of industrial action up to striking over what their union describes as Government plans to decrease appliance crewing levels.

The firefighters, members of Siptu, say the action will be implemented if there is any attempt to bring in these changes. However, the Department of the Environment denied any proposals to reduce crewing levels.

Siptu’s national retained firefighter organiser, Con Casey, said: “Our members have voted resoundingly to oppose any attempt to unilaterally implement cuts to crewing levels or other changes to national agreements, which they believe will endanger firefighters and the public.”