Retained firefighters reject WRC pay proposals

Retained firefighters, who are members of SIPTU, have voted to reject Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposals aimed at resolving a long-running pay dispute.

Members voted 55% against the pay deal with 45% in favour.

"The national retained firefighters committee will meet over the coming days to discuss our next steps following the outcome of the vote," said SIPTU Sector Organiser Brendan O'Brien.

Retained firefighters are part-time members who are paid an annual retainer for being on-call.

In August, unions and Government representatives met at the WRC and agreed a set of proposals that were put to firefighters.

Under the deal, they would receive a guaranteed weekly income, before call-out payments.

For new entrants, this would start at €483 per week for the first year rising to €550 a week by year eight.

Station officers would be paid €667 per week, rising to €752.

The increases would be paid in stages and linked to a combination of the existing public sector pay deal and additional funding.

In June last year, around 2,000 retained firefighters began a campaign of industrial action demanding better pay and conditions, with pickets placed across 200 retained fire stations.

In August 2023, the action was suspended after agreement was reached at the WRC which proposed increased retainer payments and restructured working hours.