SIPTU firefighters vote for industrial action

SIPTU members in the Retained Fire Services have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, including strike action. Retained Fire Services are firefighters who are not fulltime but paid a retaining fee and on a per call basis. They make up about two thirds of Ireland's fire service and their stations are located primarily in smaller towns and rural areas. Today in Dublin a 97% majority voted for industrial action and 95% voted for strike action. The ongoing dispute is in relation to the proposed cutting of fire appliance crewing levels which members says would put the lives of both firefighters and the public in danger. The union are calling on the Enviroment Minister Alan Kelly to step in before the action takes place. Speaking to RedFM News, Con Casey of SIPTU South explains the issue.

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