SIPTU members at the FAI have expressed their concern at the current stagnation of the association's relationship with the Government and various stakeholders.
A Special FAI Council meeting got underway at Dublin's Red Cow Hotel on Friday afternoon.
Independent chairperson Roy Barrett will field questions on the Memorandum of Understanding between the association and the Government.
A war of words erupted during the week regarding who knew what and when of the Memorandum's contents before it was signed by Barrett on January 30.
In a letter circulated at the Red Cow, SIPTU members say after years of tolerating "mudslinging in the media" they "are now very much concerned for their future employment in the Association".
Earlier this week, Interim FAI CEO Gary Owens painted a bleak picture of the association's future if governance reform is not accepted.
That reform is required if the FAI are to avail of an €18million government bailout, and for the re-instatement of Sport Ireland funding.
Barrett also warned that insolvency will follow the drying up of State funding.
In their letter, SIPTU urge all parties to work together, adding, "It is time that the FAI staff and their livelihoods are at the forefront of discussion and an agreement be made resulting in the rescue package from Government and Sport Ireland be implemented in order to return the Association to a positive financial footing and make staff proud to be associated with a new FAI where all stakeholders work together."
SIPTU letter in full:
FAI members of SIPTU are very concerned of the impasse between the Government, members of the FAI Board and members of the National Council of the FAI.
Staff who have helped grow (along with all football stakeholders) the Association from Grassroots to the Senior International male and female teams over recent years have tolerated mudslinging in the media are now very much concerned for their future employment in the Association. In 2012 redundancies and wage cuts took a heavy toll on staff who still to this day are seeking restoration of wages (eight years later).
In April this year, staff agreed to a wage deferral and now face the threat of massive redundancies.
The Governance Review Report under Aidan Horan and the MoU restored confidence among FAI SIPTU staff.
SIPTU representatives met with the Minister in January resulting in a rescue package for the FAI with guarantees that there would be no compulsory redundancies of staff.
In latest reports and dispatches there is a mention of massive redundancies of staff if no agreement is secured.
In conclusion it is time that the FAI staff and their livelihoods are at the forefront of discussion and an agreement be made resulting in the rescue package from Government and Sport Ireland be implemented in order to return the Association to a positive financial footing and make staff proud to be associated with a new FAI where all stakeholders work together.
FAI SIPTU Staff feel enough is enough and are asking on all sides to work together in the interest of the game and players.
Kind Regards on behalf of FAI Staff SIPTU members
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