SIPTU suspends industrial action decision as FAI agrees to meet Union on Thursday

SIPTU members in the FAI have suspended consideration of industrial action, in a dispute resulting from the organisation’s attempt to force through redundancies, until after a meeting with management which is to take place on Thursday (11th September)

SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “At a meeting of our members in the FAI earlier today it was decided to suspend consideration of industrial action following management agreeing to meet with our Union on Thursday. Planned leafleting, and other publicity actions, at the Ireland vs Hungary international game in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin tomorrow (Saturday, 6th September) have also been suspended to create the best conditions for progress in the talks.

“SIPTU representatives made clear at the meeting today that the Union will not accept any compulsory redundancies being imposed on our members in the FAI. This position will be made clear to management on Thursday.”

He added: “Our members are very angry at management’s approach, in particular, they are disgusted at disparaging remarks about staff contained in a press release issued by the FAI last week. They wish to have it clarified how this occurred and an apology from management in relation to the distress it has provoked.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “We have requested that management provide SIPTU with its ‘transformation plan’. It is unheard of in industrial relations involving our Union that such a plan, which is said to include provision for compulsory redundancies, would not be provided so that it can be properly considered.”

He added: “Our members’ livelihoods and futures will be protected. We will also be ensuring that grassroots football, the bedrock upon which the success of all other levels of the game in Ireland is based, will not be decimated. Our members know the FAI needs serious reform and are willing to work to that end, but this must be done through a respectful process where staff buy-in to change is brought about through consultation and negotiations.”