IMPACT members working at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s library service have voted for industrial action in response to a lack of recruitment and management proposals to open a staffless library service on Sundays.

IMPACT official Dessie Robinson said the ballot had taken place in response to a failure by management to offer proposals to deal with an acute staffing crisis in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, which continues to affect the library service.

“Since 2003, staffing levels have fallen by 30%, while opening hours have been extended. This has restricted access to unpaid family friendly arrangements for IMPACT members, including work sharing and access to annual leave, because of the additional demands to keep the service running,” he said.

Dessie added that the ballot followed a long process during which the local IMPACT branch had argued for additional staff.

Staffless library

Management recently announced its intentions to open the dlr LexIcon on a staffless basis on Sundays from next month. Dessie added: “Members voted not to cooperate with this or any other changes to opening hours. There’s been no agreement in relation to plans for staffless libraries at a national level, and members in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown have voted to oppose any attempts to open the Lexicon on a staffless basis.”

The divisional executive committee of IMPACT’s Local Government and Local Services division has sanctioned the industrial action. The ballot paper sought members’ support for industrial action, up to and including strike action, on both issues.

Separately, staff in 13 local authorities have voted in favour of industrial action in opposition to proposals to amalgamate a number of library services. Read more here