Industrial action by SIPTU Dublin Fire Brigade members suspended following WRC intervention

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade have suspended industrial action, which was scheduled to commence today, following an intervention by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in a dispute concerning safety concerns related to the introduction of a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

SIPTU Organiser, Geoff McEvoy, said: “Our members welcome the intervention of the WRC in this dispute.

“The WRC has asked that both parties stand down any action to allow for meaningful negotiations, which are scheduled to begin on Friday (12th September).

“This means that our industrial action is suspended, and that the employer will hold off any further implementation on their flawed plans for changes in the operation of the dispatch control room.

“Consultation on this matter is long overdue, but questions about decision-making in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government remain.

“How can a plan that was so poorly thought through, and has resulted in an entirely avoidable industrial dispute, ever have gotten as far as it has?”

He added: “Difficult negotiations lie ahead but firefighters are ready to engage in them to further their key concern, which is to ensure they can provide the best life-saving emergency services for the people of the greater Dublin area.”