Fás offices to be hit by strike in two weeks

Three Fás offices will be picketed by their staff on Wednesday April 5 th as part of industrial action being taken by Siptu in…

Three Fás offices will be picketed by their staff on Wednesday April 5 thas part of industrial action being taken by Siptu in opposition to the Government's decentralisation programme for State agencies.

Notice of the industrial action was served by the union today, giving Fás the required two-weeks notice.

On Monday, Siptu members in Fás voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over the way the State agency is planning its relocation to Birr, Co Offaly.

Siptu organiser Greg Ennis said industrial action was being pursued because "Fás has breached consultation procedures and is coercing staff into co-operating with the Government's decentralisation programme by linking promotional posts to the proposed movement to Birr".

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Mr Ennis called on Fás management to confirm in writing that it was "reverting to the status quo with regard to the filling of head office promotional posts" so that the union could withdraw the strike notice.

According to the union, only six of the 400 Fás head office staff have expressed their wish to move to Birr but that since it was linked to promotional activities that number had risen to 28.

The work stoppage will last for two and a half hours from 8.30 to 11am on April 5 thand will see pickets being placed outside the head office on Baggot St and at Fás offices on the South Circular Rd and on Adelaide Rd.

Fás has said it is implementing Government policy.

David Labanyi

David Labanyi

David Labanyi is the Head of Audience with The Irish Times