Labour Court recommends £700 payment for Arklow firefighters under new roster

In 1995, the Labour Court recommended that Wicklow County Council implement its proposed roster for 12 part-time Arklow firefighters and increase the lead-in payment to £700 per person, in two £350 phases. The recommendation was signed on 3 May 1995. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union opposed the six-on, six-off arrangement, warning that too few firefighters could be available during incidents. The council said six firefighters were sufficient for the call-outs covered and estimated that each would lose about £700 gross a year under the roster. The Court also recommended a formal meal arrangement for extended attendance and that the parties monitor the roster after implementation.