Retained firefighters in Donegal are further escalating their campaign of industrial action today.
Part-time fire stations have ‘gone dark’ since 8am this morning, providing no internal communications other than life-saving information.
Around 2,000 retained firefighters nationwide are campaigning for better pay and conditions as the service faces a recruitment and retention crisis.
All 15 fire brigades in County Donegal are crewed by retained firefighters.
SIPTU is questioning whether retained fire fighters are having their social protection payments blocked due to the dispute. A letter has been written to Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “We are receiving reports from across the country that Retained Fire Fighters are having their payments refused because of the strike. Retained Fire Fighter work is part time and precarious, with fire fighters available on an ‘if and when’ basis. They are on strike from this employment but remain available for other work in the normal way.
“There is therefore no reason whatsoever that social protection payments should be stopped or withheld. We call on the Minister to issue a clarification on this matter without delay.”
