The SIPTU union has joined Letterkenny firefighters in demanding that cuts to their service be reversed, as a row with senior management at the Fire Service intensifies.
Wide-ranging cuts to Letterkenny Fire Station were announced in February.
The proposed cuts would see the removal of Letterkenny’s second fire engine, the removal of the water tanker and incident command vehicle from Letterkenny, as well as substantial cuts to staffing levels of firefighters.
A group of concerned firefighters launched a petition last month urging the Fire Service to reverse the job and resource cuts in Letterkenny.
Now the SIPTU union has backed workers in the Fire Station as they seek an agreement to maintain an adequate number of firefighters in the interest of public safety.
“SIPTU has called for a commitment from Donegal County Council and Fire Service Management to increase staffing levels at Letterkenny Fire Station, so it can operate safely in response to growing demands on it within the local area,” the union said in a statement.
Meanwhile SIPTU Organiser David Samuels hit out at the planned widespread cuts in Letterkenny.
“In February, Donegal County Council and Fire Service Management unilaterally announced without prior consultation with members, that Letterkenny Fire Station would be downgraded to a 1 Pump Station,” he said.
“This decision includes the removal of the second fire engine and its associated crew, as well as the loss of essential emergency response vehicles, including the Station’s water tanker and incident command vehicle.”
Samuels has also hit out at management in the matter, saying that they have refused to seriously engage in negotiations.
“SIPTU’s representatives have called for engagement with management to agree an adequate number of firefighters to maintain the station’s operation in a manner which is safe for staff and the public. However, management has refused to engage constructively. When pressed for a timeline, it was refused due to senior management being ‘very busy’ implementing other aspects of the Workplace Relations Commission agreement concerning the Retained Fire Services.”
“We find this response wholly unacceptable. No management, no matter how busy, should ever not prioritise the safety of firefighters and the general public which they serve. Fire Service Management’s refusal to allocate time to address these urgent concerns demonstrates a reckless disregard for the fundamental duty of care to both its staff and the wider community.”
He also took aim at what was described as “inflammatory and derogatory language” used by management of the Fire Service in response to firefighters’ concerns.
“Furthermore, SIPTU takes issue with the inflammatory and derogatory language used in a Fire Service Management’s statement issued in March, which described our members concerns as ‘inaccurate, untrue, self-serving and deeply misleading’. These claims are entirely baseless. The concerns raised by SIPTU members are factually accurate and reflect the reality of events.”
“SIPTU has provided Fire Service Management with several opportunities to retract and apologise for this statement. However, it has refused to do so. SIPTU members will not be silenced when it comes to the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves or the communities they serve.”
