LIVE: Clare County Council workers begin industrial action over 'unilateral' policy change

SIPTU members working at Clare County Council have begun industrial action over, what they say is, management's failure to comply with agreed national dispute resolution procedures.

The issue arises following the implementation of Vehicle Usage and Vehicle Telematics Policies. 

SIPTU, the services, industrial, professional and technical union, has claimed its is "disappointing" that the Council would "not follow its own procedures, as well as the national procedures for resolving disputes.”

“What is also very disappointing is that the employer would blatantly disregard the concerns that our members and their employees have regarding the unilateral implementation of policies that impact our members’ everyday work. This dispute was, and could have been, totally avoidable if the Council respected the status quo and engaged in a meaningful way with the SIPTU negotiating committee," said Arek Muszynski, Industrial Organiser at SIPTU. 

“However, management has buried its head in the sand and allowed this to escalate to the point where our members started a work-to-rule from Monday (August 25). Our members don’t want to be in this position, and it is particularly disappointing that this is happening only months into the tenure of the newly appointed Chief Executive of Clare County Council," he added.

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A spokesperson for Clare County Council stated that (council) vehicles have been parked at Council depots overnight since March 31 of this year, following the implementation of the Vehicle Usage and Vehicle Telematics Policies. 

"As part of the implementation of the new policies, Clare County Council undertook a 12-month engagement process with all trade unions, including SIPTU.

"Clare County Council strongly refutes the assertion that it has failed to meaningfully engage or comply with agreed dispute resolution procedures. The Council has consistently demonstrated a willingness to engage in dialogue and comprehensively addressed all issues raised regarding these policies," said the spokesperson. 

The Council believe that the core issue comes down to the practice of employees commuting to and from work in council vehicles, including velocity patchers, articulated trucks and litter vehicles, not being permitted.

They say that these policies have been implemented for reasons of climate change, insurance and health and safety, among others. 

"Clare County Council remains open to engaging further with SIPTU on this matter and would welcome clarity from the union on its current issues referred to in its media release, which remain vague," the spokesperson concluded.