Updated: 7.30pm
Retained firefighters are to suspend their escalation of industrial action following an intervention from the Labour Court.
Firefighters represented by SIPTU were planning an all-out strike from next Tuesday.
The planned action was suspended this evening to allow for talks which are now due to be held at the Labour Court on Monday.
Retained firefighters in Donegal will continue their rolling work stoppage protest until Sunday evening.
SIPTU warned yesterday that the recruitment and retention crisis in the retained fire service will lead to mass resignations without government intervention.
A spokesperson for the Donegal Fire Service said: “The Donegal Firefighters Association would like to thank the public for the huge support you have been offering our retained Firefighters here in Donegal. Whether it is simply a wave or a beep of the horn as you pass the picket, or stopping with drinks and food, it is very much appreciated.
“For this weekend, with the rally traffic here, the firefighters that are on strike will go back to their own stations and protest there, please show them as much support as you did in Letterkenny.
“Current news is that the Labour Court has asked to talk to both sides, to facilitate that, we will postpone strike action from Sunday Night for 24 hours. We do hope that with the intervention of the Labour Court, we can come to an agreement that all retained Firefighters can be happy with, and we can go back to keeping our communities safe.”
