Labour Court tells Dublin City Council and fire officers to resume compensation talks

The Labour Court recommended that Dublin City Council - Dublin Fire Brigade and 50 District Fire Officers re-engage on compensation after finding no outstanding annual leave was due. The recommendation was signed on 28 March 2023. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU) and FORSA argued that officers had additional leave entitlements and sought retrospection. Dublin City Council - Dublin Fire Brigade said it had applied the full entitlement, which traditionally included Saturdays and Sundays. The Court said four weeks’ leave gave officers the same time off whether counted as 28 consecutive days or 20 working days, and that the 24-hour differential was reflected in supervisory leave. It found inconsistent contract wording had caused confusion, while the employer’s apparent acceptance of an earlier recommendation despite not implementing it added to workers’ frustration. The Court recommended the parties try to agree compensation within six weeks; if they cannot, it will recommend whether any compensation should be paid.