Frontline workers hold rally in Dublin

The  24/7 Frontline Alliance – a cross union grouping of the frontline workers ( Garda, Firemen, Prison Officers, Ambulance workers, Nurses – held a Rally today outside Leinster House in Dublin to voice their opposition to impending cuts to budgets resulting in wage reductions. A letter of protest was handed into Government Buildings by the organisers.

Only off-duty members marched so that services were not affected towards the general public. Gardai, who cannot protest in uniform, wore blue jackets and baseball caps to identify themselves. Firemen marched in uniform.

With the economic slowdown the Government has indicated that the public service wage bill will be reduced but there is as yet no concrete proposals. But it is widely anticipated that some kind of reduction is very likely. Earlier this year staff in the public sector were levied with a charge to cover pension payments. This has served to infuriate the staff who now are more militant to block more reductions as they see themselves as soft targets.

The frontline workers are extremely fearful that allowances will be impacted, as opposed to basic pay cuts, and this would have a more disproportionate affect on them as opposed to general public sector staff who work 9-5 and do not rely on allowances to boost take home pay.

A day of strikes is planned for Nov 24 and looks likely to go ahead in advance of the budget and is due to be presented on Dec 9th.