Copyright irishmirror
SIPTU members in the FAI have rejected proposals to make 60 staff - or almost a quarter of the Association’s 255-strong workforce - redundant. According to the trade union, approximately 100 staff on Thursday afternoon received an email from FAI management saying their roles were being discontinued and that they should reapply for work with the organisation. This followed a meeting earlier in the day where workers were informed by management that it wished to cut 60 jobs across the Association. Those cuts, according to SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane, are “massively skewed towards football operations at the FAI.” SIPTU described the plan as ‘ill-informed and a devastating blow to grassroots football across the country’. Kane added that there was “a ratio of seven to one between staff in roles supporting grassroots football schemes across the country being cut as compared to all other functions.” He added that people employed in “commercial and business sections of the organisation” had been told that they would have to “reapply for different roles within the FAI.” Kane said: “None of these measures have been discussed with staff and none of the new roles’ terms and conditions of employment have been supplied. “Of course, management in the organisation is not intending on downsizing, despite its central role in creating the crises in both finances and public trust at the FAI.” “Management has yet to even present its so-called ‘transformation plan’ to the workers. “Serious questions must now be asked of the Government concerning whether it intends to allow an organisation in receipt of major state funding treat its loyal workforce in this manner.” SIPTU Sector Organiser Robert Purfield said: “This plan represents a fundamental attack on the people who actually deliver football development in communities up and down the country. “Our members, coaches, development officers, grassroots coordinators and business support staff, are the backbone of the game in Ireland. “To target them disproportionately while protecting managerial layers in a so-called transformation plan just shows that this management group do not intend to bring the FAI in a positive direction. “Management’s damaging approach will hollow out the sport at its foundations. “Our members are proud of their contribution to building football participation, inclusion, and development at every level. They are not prepared to see those gains sacrificed.” SIPTU has written to the Workplace Relations Commission seeking its intervention, while union representatives will consult with its members on Monday to determine its next move. Click here to sign up to our soccer newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from the League of Ireland and beyond
