PDFORRA to vote on industrial action

Army members are set to vote today on whether to take industrial action in protest over working conditions.

If the motion is accepted, it will be the first time members of the Defence Forces have taken such action.

Soldiers are protesting at job cuts in the forces, difficulties surrounding promotion and lack of consultation on key issues.

They are also claiming that not all savings are being fully reinvested in the forces.

Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) represents around 10,000 serving members of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps.

Minister for Defence Michael Smith is set to meet leaders of the union in the hope of resolving any difficulties.