'I never thought I’d see myself standing in front of a fire station asking for better pay'

Johnny Madden, station officer at Mallow Fire Station: 'We have held open days, recruitment days, you name it, but people don’t show up for interviews. The job is stressful.' Picture: David Creedon

A Cork firefighter has said he never thought he would see the day when he would be standing on a picket line after a new pay deal was rejected by unions and crews on Wednesday.

Strike action is due to resume across the country next week as retained or part-time firefighters fight for better conditions.