Siptu to resist compulsory FAI redundancies at showdown with Courell

FRUSTRATED: The withdrawal from a meeting by chief executive David Courell at 24 hours’ notice angered the union who represent a chunk of the 245 staff, primarily low to middle paid workers. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Siptu will resist any compulsory redundancies at the FAI as they prepare for crunch talks next week.

The withdrawal from a meeting by chief executive David Courell at 24 hours’ notice angered the union who represent a chunk of the 245 staff, primarily low to middle paid workers.

Earlier this month, the FAI confirmed plans, previously reported by the Irish Examiner, of an upcoming redundancy programme, presented under the guise of a transformation plan.

Particularly irking frontline staff was what they continue to brand a 'disparaging' reference to staff in the press release.

"The findings make it clear that the association does not currently have the required framework and specific skill sets to implement vital strategies, including the FAI Football Pathways Plan, and to meet the evolving needs of Irish football – at all levels of the game" it read.

Courell had invited Siptu and staff reps to negotiations on foot of a threat to instigate a protest around the opening men’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary last Saturday week.

Those talks entailed chief operating officer Christina Kenny and HR director Aoife Rafferty representing FAI. Courell’s absence was flagged the previous day.

He is finally due to face off with the aggrieved union who have demanded answers to salient questions around the proposed plan.

Courell informed media last Friday that details will only be forthcoming after the voluntary redundancy phase is completed in late October.

“At this meeting, the threat to implement redundancies without agreement with staff will be discussed, alongside wider concerns about the direction of the sporting body,” Siptu said in Tuesday’s statement.

Siptu services divisional organiser Adrian Kane said: “Our members in the FAI were deeply frustrated last week when we attended a meeting which the CEO chief executive had indicated he would attend but did not.

“This was compounded by his subsequent claim that we had been given considerable due notice of his unavailability. That claim is incorrect.

“Our members have also been concerned by recent media interviews in which inaccurate figures on staff numbers have been presented and a failure to acknowledge that a significant growth in management roles in recent years has impacted the organisation financially.” 

He added: “FAI workers, including our members, have devoted their working lives to assisting with the development of football at all levels.

“Most work daily with grassroots clubs and communities. They are dismayed at their treatment in recent days and again demand sight of the FAI’s so-called ‘transformation plan’ so that it can be assessed on what it proposes and ensure it is based on accurate information.” 

Siptu Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “Our members are rightly appalled at the way this situation has been handled.

“They remain upset at disparaging remarks contained in an FAI press release which followed its announcement that it was seeking voluntary and, later, compulsory redundancies.

“It is hoped that at the upcoming meeting relations between our Union and FAI management can be reset. This requires the FAI to treat staff with the respect they deserve and to act in line with industrial relations norms on negotiation and the provision of information.” 

He added: “That these issues are arising in an organisation in receipt of significant state funding and whose role includes ensuring fair play in Irish football is particularly regrettable.”