SIPTU calls for "fair pay" for extreme weather work

As Storm Chandra continues to batter many parts of the country with high winds and flooding, leading trade union SIPTU has issued a demand for fair and additional pay for work directly associated with extreme weather emergencies.

Local Authority and State Agency employees who work extended hours, go on emergency callouts or standby duties, are redeployed, and carry out high-risk tasks carried out during weather alerts should receive extra pay, according to the union's Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser, Brendan O’Brien.

“Our members in Local Authorities and State Agencies are out there dealing with flooding, fallen trees, travel disruption, and damage to infrastructure. They are keeping roads clear, restoring services, and protecting communities. This is emergency work, carried out under very difficult conditions, and it must be recognised and fairly compensated” said Mr. O'Brien.

He added that the nature of local authority work has “changed dramatically over time” with members taking on “a far broader range of duties, higher levels of responsibility and qualification and complex tasks” and this needs to be recognised and remunerated.

SIPTU Local Authority Sector Organiser, Con Casey, said workers deserve “certainty and respect” and must know in advance how pay, health and safety protections, rest periods, and recovery time apply “when they are asked to respond to emergencies."