San Francisco Frontiers - Councillors Walk Out of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council Meeting in Solidarity with Striking Workers

A significant portion of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council departed its November monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, staging a mass walkout in support of public sector workers engaged in industrial action. The departure occurred at exactly 5:55 pm, just five minutes before the scheduled end of the work-to-rule measures that were set to conclude at 6:00 pm.

Councillors from the Green Party, Labour, People Before Profit, and the Social Democrats left the chamber together. They were joined by one Fianna Fáil councillor, Michael Clark. The remaining members of the council, including Fine Gael and other independent councillors, stayed to continue the business of the meeting, which normally runs from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The walking councillors stated that their departure was a necessary ethical stance against undermining union members who were on strike. They argued that because no derogation had been granted by trade unions for this specific meeting, remaining in the chamber would be equivalent to crossing a picket line.

People Before Profit Councillor Melisa Halpin explained that the decision was driven by the presence of non-union senior management running the proceedings. "That's tantamount to crossing a picket," Halpin said. "We cannot stay in that chamber. It's unfortunate; there's lots of work to be done, but these workers need to win a pay increase that is at least ahead of inflation."

Halpin criticized the current compensation structure for public sector employees, describing it as "outrageous" that workers were effectively earning less than they did five years ago despite the rising cost of living. She emphasized that the walkout was a demonstration of solidarity with staff who have maintained high levels of productivity during difficult economic times.

Labour Councillor Martha Fanning highlighted the procedural context of the walkout. She noted that for previous meetings, trade unions had granted special derogations allowing full council sessions to proceed normally. However, this exemption was withdrawn for the November meeting. "Obviously, the work-to-rule in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown means that work stops at 6:00 p.m. So, we walked out in solidarity with workers at 5:55," Fanning said. "We had no choice but to walk out. Right now, the meeting continuing is essentially crossing a picket line."

Labour Councillor Lettie McCarthy added that her decision was influenced by daily interactions with council staff who are currently part of the dispute. "I just couldn't sit there while they're looking to get more recognition, that would feel like we weren't supporting them back," McCarthy said, describing the staff as courteous and helpful.

Social Democrats Councillor John Hurley revealed that the council management had previously sought feedback from representatives on how to address the work-to-rule action. He suggested that starting the meeting earlier might have allowed it to proceed normally. However, he stated there was "no consensus" among the parties, leading management to keep the 5:00 pm start time. Hurley criticized the decision to allow non-unionized senior staff to conduct the business of the council.

"For senior management to come in, non-unionised staff to run the meeting," Hurley said. "It's basically like they're doing the job of people who are in industrial action. So, it's wrong on behalf of the management; it's wrong on behalf of the councillors sitting in there as well." He rejected claims by some Fine Gael members that the walkout let down the electorate, calling the principle of not crossing picket lines "fundamental."

Green Party Councillor Oisin O’Connor criticized the government’s handling of the public sector pay dispute, stating that officials had "dragged their heels since July" and were now presenting an offer they were trying to sell to the media rather than negotiating in good faith. He drew a parallel between the current work-to-rule measures and previous strike days.

"We don't see any difference between walking across into a school or a council office or a depot on strike day, or staying in the meeting while the work of union members who are on a work-to-rule is being done by other staff members," O’Connor said. He expressed disappointment that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors had chosen to remain and make decisions without nearly half the elected representatives present.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Clark, the only member of his party to join the walkout, cited his role as a secondary school teacher and member of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) as the basis for his decision. He described his position as difficult given that his party is part of the government negotiating with public sector unions.

"This is a difficult position for me to be in, given that the dispute is between the public sector unions and the government of which my own party is a member," Clark said. "All I can hope for is that there will be extra efforts made over the days and weeks ahead to have a full resolution of this in a fair manner."

Clark acknowledged the financial constraints facing the government, noting "potential financial dark clouds on the horizon." However, he affirmed his support for public sector workers across teaching, health services, and civil service, stating they deserve a pay increase in line with inflation due to the cost of living.

Prior to the walkout, Fine Gael Councillor Frank McNamara urged representatives to remain in the chamber. He argued that ending the meeting early would fail to fulfill their mandate and assist communities. "If we were to end this meeting after 55 minutes in what way are we fulfilling our mandate and assisting communities," McNamara said. "We are only making things worse, not better."

The meeting continued with the remaining councillors, who proceeded with council business despite the absence of a significant bloc of elected officials. The walkout underscores the deepening tensions between local government representatives and public sector unions over pay and working conditions in the wake of ongoing industrial action.

A.Smith--SFF