*Photograph: John Mangan
AN ONGOING industrial dispute between outdoor workers of Clare County Council and the organisation could hamper how the county’s response in an extreme weather event.
Outdoor staff of the Council that are members of the SIPTU trade union began industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule in August and a month later were balloted for industrial action.
This week, the matter has been before the Workplace Relations Commission with elected members of the Council warning that emergency responses during severe weather events could be hampered.
Temperatures in Clare have plummeted this week with Tulla hitting -1.3 degrees on Monday morning.
“We’re entirely reliant on the good cooperation of our crews, there was crews cutting miles and miles of timber of trees and in the current context of the industrial action taking place. From talking to workers and General Operatives, the level of morale is at a very low ebb, I’d flag the concern that if the goodwill and cooperation is withdrawn then our reaction to the weather events could be severely hampered,” Cllr Shane Talty (FF) cautioned this week.
Speaking at a meeting of the West Clare Municipal District on Tuesday, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) outlined, “I understand that talks are taking place today with WRC on the workers”. Senior executive officer, Eoin Troy confirmed that Director of Services, Carmel Kirby was absent from the meeting due to her presence at the WRC.
