Fire stations in Cashel, Cahir, Carrick on Suir, Thurles, Templemore and Roscrea are closed today as retained firefighters close 50% of stations each day as a form of industrial action. Fire Service Management will dispatch fire crews from some of the other 6 stations in the county today if a life threatening emergency call is received.
The public are advised to continue to call 999 or 112 in the event of any emergency.
Tipperary County Council management says a request submitted by councillors for a special meeting in respect of the dispute is not possible under existing legislation.
The Deputy CEO of Tipperary County Council, Sinead Carr, has informed the Cathaoirleach Ger Darcy that as the dispute is a national dispute around remuneration for Retained Fire Fighters and that Tipperary has no seat at the negotiating table to deliver a new offer. Ms Carr says the council’s only role is to work with the strike committee locally and that as the form of industrial action changes the contingency plans also change so a meeting to discuss contingency plans would “be ineffective.” Ms Carr did offer to provide an online briefing for members.
The request that Retained Firefighters be invited to attend a meeting and outline their issues is also begin rejected by the Council Executive – Councillors have been informed that only the Chief Executive can decide which staff attend the council meetings and given the ongoing industrial dispute, it would not be appropriate for the striking Retained Fire Fighters to attend.
