Retained Firefighters with SIPTU have voted to accept proposals from the Workplace Relations Commission to bring an end to their industrial dispute.
The announcement today follows after intensive consultation among the union last week, and a secret ballot carried out today.
Strikes by some 2,000 retained firefighters have seen many stations closed as part-time firefighters took to the picket lines.
The strike action over pay and staffing levels was suspended last month when talks began at the WRC.
With the acceptance of the WRC proposals, new Retained firefighter recruits will now enter service with guaranteed fixed minimum earnings of over €18,000.
Those with eight years of service will see their guaranteed earnings rise to over €21,000. Station officers will have secure minimum earnings of between €27,400 and €31,730.
Firefighters are also now required to be available for 24 weeks a year, down from 48 weeks, with the voluntary option to be available more often.
Karan O Loughlin, SIPTU Divisional Organiser, said, “This has been a protracted battle to bring the poor terms and conditions for retained fire fighters into the public domain and to begin the process of rebuilding the Retained Fire Service.”
She added that while today’s vote to accept WRC proposal ends the current strike, it does not end the fight for improved conditions.
“The WRC document is the beginning of the next stage for the Retained Fire Fighters. SIPTU representatives will be writing immediately to the employers and to the minister.”
“We will advise of the acceptance of the document and seek to engage in discussions in respect of the retainer and the rollout of the WRC terms, especially those clauses that relate to recruitment, pay and time off. ”
Commenting on the result of the SIPTU ballot Minister O’Brien said, “I welcome the decision of the Retained Fire Fighters to accept the recommendations of the Workplace Relations Commission.
“I want to thank them and their representatives for their constructive engagement with the Local Government Management Agency. I also want to thank the WRC for their efforts in bringing about a resolution to this dispute.”
