SIPTU representatives have confirmed that all outdoor staff in Clare County Council are being balloted for industrial action as part of a major escalation in a dispute caused by management’s refusal to engage with the State’s own industrial dispute resolution system.
SIPTU Organiser, Arek Muszynski, said: “This ballot is the direct result of Clare County Council management consistently refusing to comply with the agreed procedures for resolving disputes, including attending the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Such behaviour is unprecedented in the public sector and undermines the long-established dispute resolution system that all Council employees rely upon.
“Our members are very clear about what needs to happen. Consultation on the Clare vehicle usage policies must be concluded within a defined timeframe, through the agreed procedures, including referral to the WRC if necessary. Clare County Council must also confirm that its policies comply with the national Local Authorities Telematics Policy of 2017, including GDPR and data protection provisions. There must be a joint review of the rollout of the finalised policy, and issues regarding vehicle usage, including parking arrangements, must be addressed in line with established Revenue guidelines.”
SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “By refusing to attend the WRC under the agreed protocol, Clare County Council is setting a dangerous precedent. If this becomes accepted practice, no worker in the local government sector can rely on the State’s dispute resolution procedures.
“Our members, through their Strike Committee, have unanimously agreed to escalate this dispute. The ballot of all outdoor staff will, if passed, result in significant disruption to the delivery of services. This entirely avoidable situation has been caused by the refusal of Clare County Council management to respect the State’s established mechanisms for resolving disputes.”