SIPTU are balloting their members for strike action which could close dozens of Citizens Information Centres in Co. Tipperary and around the country in the coming weeks.
The decision is being taken due to a failure by their employers and the Department of Social Protection to respect a Labour Court recommendation on a pay increase for staff.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King says “citizen advice staff provide a vital in-person service informing people of their rights and advocating on their behalf across the country.
Mr King says none of the staff want to take further action however yet again we have a situation where a Government Department is attempting to shirk its responsibility to hundreds of workers who provide a vital public service on behalf of the State.
If the strike goes ahead approximately 300 workers operating nearly 50 offices across the country will be impacted by a vote for strike action.
The proposed action will be indefinite in duration and result in the full closure of this vital service until action is taken to respect the Labour Court recommendation that was secured in June this year.”
The CIS ballot is scheduled to be counted today.
