Cork County Council Launches Industrial Action

SIPTU members in Cork County Council launched industrial action at 8.30am this morning, 27 June, in a dispute resulting from the refusal of management to recruit more staff.

Additional staff are required to adequately deliver statutory services and to address deficiencies by the Council in applying the 'Service Delivery Options' of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

SIPTU Organiser, Con Casey, said: "The senior management of Cork County Council were notified in writing last week (Monday 19 June) that SIPTU members in the Roads and Drivers Sections will commence industrial action on 27th June.

"This action results from a management refusal to engage with the workforce planning process and recruit more staff to adequately delivery statutory services. On 23rd June, a proposal in this regard was issued by Cork County Council but, after careful analysis and examination by our members, it was rejected as being insufficient to address the issues involved.

"The industrial action will take the form of SIPTU members engaging in a four hour work-stoppage from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday 27th June. This will mean they will not engage or co-operate with transporting private contractors, excluding digger-drivers. Our members will also be insisting that recognised manning levels are strictly applied and that the demarcation of roles including for 'acting' and supervisory positions is recognised."

Mr Casey said that its members have "no option but to commence this industrial action due to key sections of the Council, which deal with road maintenance and other essential services, being seriously understaffed".

He concluded: "This is due to management failing to replace workers as they retire. The running down of the ability of the Council to adequately provide services would unfortunately seem to be part of an agenda to increase the outsourcing of work to private 'for profit' companies.

"This move towards outsourcing by the management of Cork County Council is being pursued in contravention of national agreements. These agreements assert that the high standards of council services should be preserved by maintaining their delivery by directly employed council staff. SIPTU representatives remain available for meaningful discussions and engagement to seek an agreed resolution to this dispute."

(MH/CD)