A dispute which forced Sligo county councillors to abandon their monthly meeting last week is set to escalate. SIPTU members, who work at the council's machinery and drivers section, will implement a four-day work stoppage this week, with an all-out strike planned for May 26th.
According to Mr Adrian McArt, SIPTU assistant branch secretary, the industrial action is due to the council's failure to honour a long-standing agreement to maintain existing driver numbers and to modernise the fleet. "We served strike notice on Sligo County Council on April 16th because of the council's ongoing refusal to fill two driver positions created by the retirement of two members of the existing crew", said Mr McArt.
The dispute, which involves more than 20 SIPTU members, has become bitter, according to Labour Party alderman, Mr Declan Bree. Mr Bree was among the councillors who refused to pass the picket on the council meeting.
"In my years on Sligo County Council there has always been a reasonably good relationship between unions and the council. However, it is clear to me that, in recent times, workers representatives have been treated with contempt which has led to growing industrial unrest among the workforce," said Mr Bree.