SIPTU members in the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have today (Thursday, 30th October) rejected management proposals to make 60 staff redundant, describing the plan as ill-informed and a devastating blow to grassroots football across the country.
This afternoon, approximately 100 staff received an email from FAI management saying their roles were being discontinued and they should reapply for work with the organisation. This followed a meeting, this morning, where workers at the organisation, which currently employs 255 people, were informed by management that it wished to shed approximately one quarter of its workforce within the next two weeks.
SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “What has been attempted at the FAI today are the actions of a rogue management team attacking workers, as well as the core purpose of the organisation.
“The proposed job losses are massively skewed towards football operations at the FAI. With a ratio of seven to one between staff in roles supporting grassroots football schemes across the country being cut as compared to all other functions. In the commercial and business sections of the organisation staff, even though there are much less roles being cut, have been told that they will need to reapply for different roles within the FAI.
“None of these measures have been discussed with staff and none of the new roles’ terms and conditions of employment have been supplied. Of course, management in the organisation is not intending on downsizing, despite its central role in creating the crises in both finances and public trust at the FAI.”
He added: “Management has yet to even present its so-called ‘transformation plan’ to the workers. Serious questions must now be asked of the Government concerning whether it intends to allow an organisation in receipt of major state funding treat its loyal workforce in this manner.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robert Purfield, said: “This plan represents a fundamental attack on the people who actually deliver football development in communities up and down the country. Our members, coaches, development officers, grassroots coordinators and business support staff, are the backbone of the game in Ireland. To target them disproportionately while protecting managerial layers in a so-called transformation plan just shows that this management group do not intend to bring the FAI in a positive direction.
“Management’s damaging approach will hollow out the sport at its foundations. Our members are proud of their contribution to building football participation, inclusion, and development at every level. They are not prepared to see those gains sacrificed.”
SIPTU has written to the Workplace Relations Commission seeking its intervention. Union representatives will consult with members on Monday to determine next steps in the campaign to defend jobs and services at the sporting body.