Staff at emergency call centres in Navan and Donegal voted in favour of industrial action

Strike action by national 999 workers based in Navan and Donegal is imminent following a ballot by Communications Workers' Union (CWU) members where 82 per cent voted in favour of industrial action.

BT Ireland operates the emergency call centres through a state contract.

Following the ballot the company declined an invitation to attend the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The dispute could now result in a nationwide closure of 999 call centre services. The Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) for the entire state is located in Navan and Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

Senator Shane Cassells raised the matter in the Seanad last week, strongly criticising BT's lack of engagement with vital emergency service workers.

“Over the last 18 months, the 999 workers in Navan and Ballyshannon joined the Communications Workers Union to try to improve their workplace conditions across a number of areas,” said Senator Cassells.

“I have met with the workers in Navan along with Minister Ossian Smyth but unfortunately, the better treatment that the workers are seeking through their union has not been forthcoming because BT Ireland will not recognise them.

“The workers want to know how a company that is delivering a state contract can simply ignore an invite from the WRC, the industrial relations machinery of the State.

“The Minister needs to intervene and ask why a company that is delivering such a vital State service is refusing to attend the WRC.

“If those workers in the 999 service decide to go on strike, we will have a very serious issue in this country and which will impact our ambulance, fire and police services nationwide,” concluded Senator Cassells.

Deputy Johnny Guirke said he would be pursuing the matter with the Minister for Communication and the Managing Director for BT Ireland.

“The issues at hand are of critical importance to the employees of ECAS." he said.

A BT Ireland spokesperson said they had been informed by the Communications Workers Union Ireland that 17 of its members handling calls in the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) have voted for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a recently held ballot.

"This is 17 operators out of a total workforce of 64 operators in ECAS.

"BT Ireland has worked extensively with our employees in ECAS, listened to their issues and ideas, and taken concrete steps to address them."

She said pay had increased by over 14 per cent in the past 18 months, pension contributions were increased to six per cent, sick pay was enhanced, annual leave was increased, on-call allowances were increased and they have also committed to a further four per cent pay rise, which will be paid in June 2024.

She said the company engages with employees and their elected employee representatives at their Employee Representative Forum. "We also fully recognise an employee’s right to join a trade union, however, we believe our successful direct model of engagement and consultation with colleagues, is the best channel and a proven channel. In the circumstances, while we respect and appreciate the expertise of the Conciliation Services, the company respectfully declined the invitation of the Workplace Relations Commission to attend conciliation on this specific matter."